SEAD: Ending You SEAD: Ending You

Hello PNW Key Clubbers! The District Project Committee is thrilled to announce the new District Project for the 2023-2024 service year: The SEAD Initiative With its pillars in education, service, and fundraising, the SEAD Initiative aims to support, empower, act, and destigmatize youth houselessness across the PNW.

First, let's define what youth houselessness means. Youth who are houseless lack a fixed or adequate nighttime shelter. We use terms like unhoused, houseless, and youth experiencing houselessness to acknowledge that even though some youth may lack a permanent place to live, they are not without a family or community which is what the word home implies.

When we support houseless youth across the PNW, we are also supporting marginalized communities. For example, LGBTQIA+ youth experience a 120% higher risk of becoming houseless after coming out According to Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, BIPOC Youth have an 83% increased risk of becoming houseless compared to their white peers. But what are the main factors that can lead to youth experiencing houselessness? Due to the Covid- 19 Pandemic; family instability, unemployment, low wages, lack of adult support, and systematic inequalities all heightened, creating circumstances out of many youth’s control. As a result, youth who lack quality food, security, and necessities have less time to focus on their development and school. Furthermore, without a secure place to sleep every night, they may experience increased levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional and behavioral problems. Chronic health conditions like asthma, tuberculosis, diabetes, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS are also prevalent among houseless youth. But as a united front, PNW Key Club can create real change toward uplifting and serving our communities

Regardless of your financial status or geographic location, the SEAD Initiative offers a broad range of volunteering opportunities, so all Key Clubbers can contribute in meaningful ways. An easy way to begin volunteering is to host a food or collection drive to donate to local shelters and food pantries. Creating bags of necessities like towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, menstrual hygiene products, thick socks, and gift cards is another way to aid the DP. Or if you want to focus on education, your club could spearhead a campaign on youth houselessness that involves local guest speakers. Are you still stuck? Look to the right for some organizations we recommend donating or partnering with.

-Tali Greenfield Lieutenant Governor (64)

Motivational Cards

Over this past service year, many clubs within Division 27 have created motivational cards for different groups and communities around them. This project requires minimal materials and spending, and can be done by either an individual or a group of people! Most people would appreciate cards, so look around at the organizations around you and consider which ones to write for. Some examples are a nearby hospital, retirement home, food bank center, or pet shelter. When writing cards, an optimistic and motivational blurb is best! Make sure not to include too much personal information such as address, school you attend, etc.