National Runaway Prevention Month 2023

BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR YOUTH

EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

Homelessness as a child or youth is a major risk factor for homelessness as an adult.

November 2023

Unsheltered youth risk victimization and face huge obstacles to education and employment.

Help Youth Now. Change Their Trajectory for a Lifetime.

Donate Today. cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org grandmashouseofco.org

J Bar J's Youth Advisory Council Plays a Vital Role in Addressing Youth Homelessness.

Central Oregon faces one of the highest rates of youth experiencing homelessness in the country. In response, our community has joined forces, raising our collective voice to a national level in the fight against youth homelessness. J Bar J Youth Services is a leader in this response, with Eliza Wilson at the center as their Director of Services for Runaway and Homeless Youth while also serving as Director of the Homeless Leadership Coalition (HLC).

The Homeless Leadership Coalition is a collaborative effort that brings together community partners from Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties, along with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. It serves as the region's Continuum of Care (CoC), a concept that encompasses a broad range of services and infrastructure aimed at addressing the diverse needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. This continuum includes street outreach, temporary shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. The CoC model promotes a collective impact approach to tackling homelessness.

Within the CoC framework, J Bar J's Youth Advisory Council plays a vital role, especially in addressing youth homelessness.

Comprising youth currently residing in Grandma’s House or Cascade Youth & Family Center’s LOFT—two shelters for unaccompanied youth operated by J Bar J Youth Services—and former residents who have transitioned to stable housing, the council actively participates in HLC community meetings. They identify system gaps, review policies and procedures, and contribute to the planning process for youth-focused programs. The council benefits from the guidance and support of adult staff to ensure their recommendations align with best practices.

We Are jbarj.org cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org | grandmashouseofco.org

In the fight against youth homelessness, Central Oregon has shown its determination and resilience, with J Bar J Youth Services and the Homeless Leadership Coalition at the forefront of this movement. Together, they are working tirelessly to create a brighter future for the region's youth and transform the narrative surrounding homelessness.

It’s Cold Outside Street Outreach needs winter supplies for youth living unsheltered. cold weather sleeping bags sleeping pads tents warm coats gloves, socks, hats Drop off 19 SW Century Drive, Bend

Learn, volunteer, donate, and join us as we spread awareness of the risks these young people in our community face, and to educate the public about solutions and the role they can play in reducing runaway incidents, preventing youth homelessness, and supporting youth experiencing crisis.

Cascade Youth & Family Center and Grandma’s House provide services and shelter to youth experiencing homelessness, including those who have run away, and to those who are at risk of running away. Helping youth out of homelessness greatly reduces the risk of them experiencing homelessness as adults.

on

Help “SHINE A LIGHT”

experiences of youth who have

run awayand

experienced homelessness.

RISK:

Family Conflict 75.5% - 90% of youth in shelters cite family conflict as a critical issue leading to their homelessness

RISK:

Victimization Runaway and homeless youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience rape and assault

Crisis Intervention We offer crisis intervention services, including family mediation

Emergency Shelter Short term shelter for teens who are homeless, have run away, or We offer compassionate need time to services, allow a crisis intervention situation atmediation, home to including family to build understanding and deescalate healing within families.

RISK:

Food Insecurity & Hunger

About 1/3 of homeless adolescents experienced food insecurity in the past 30 days

RISK:

Sacrificing Education 75% of homeless youth drop out of school. Those without a

high school diploma or GED are 4.5x more likely to

experience homelessness

Street Outreach & Drop-in Hours We offer supplies and assistance, as well as drop-in hours for access to showers, laundry facilities, and nutritious meals

The LOFT: Living Options for Teens

Longer - term support focused on personal accountability while We offer compassionate youth complete their crisis intervention services, education develop including family&mediation, to build understanding and essential life skills healing within families.

RISK:

Pregnancy & Parenting Unmarried parenting youth are 3x more likely to

experience homelessness than their non-parenting peers

RISK:

Aging out of Foster Care

Between 31% and 46% of former foster children become homeless at least once by age 26 years

Grandma’s House Shelter and programs for youth who are pregnant or parenting where they can continue their education and gain life skills

Independent Living Providing current and former foster children guidance and mentorship for navigating the challenges of living independently