National Alliance to End Homelessness conference in Seattle featured dozens of successful programs across the U.S. The best give homeless youth a meaningful role in program planning. They build on the innate tendency of adolescents to bond with small groups that feel like surrogate families, and teach group members to encourage each other in behaviors that will lead to a better life. Successful programs also ensure that LGBT kids — who represent 20 to 40 percent of homeless youngsters, but just 4 to 10 percent of youth in general — feel welcome.Understandably, building effective programs for these youth is very different from working with homeless adults and families.
There 5 ways to end youth homelessness according to Lighfoot, J. (2013)
1. Preventing youth homelessness and reuniting families:
Kids are less likely to leave home in the first place if they get along with their parents. Cocoon House teaches parenting skills to adults wanting better relationships with their children ages 13 to 17. Coaching is done through confidential phone consultations, support groups and in-home family counseling. Prevention and reconnection have the added benefit of reducing demands on more costly services.
2. Ensuring education and employment opportunities:
Many youngsters in the program secure internships in real-world fields such as construction, food service and computer technology. All participating youth are paid for their time. Program costs are kept low through volunteer support and partnerships with businesses, private foundations, other nonprofits and faith communities.
3. Mobilizing philanthropists:
Funders Together is a national network of philanthropies committed to ending homelessness through strategic collaboration and grant-making.
4. Turning social-service “silos” into systems:
Funders, agencies, and elected officials in King County have formed a Youth and Young Adulta Homelessness task Forceto develop a systems model that will coordinate separate sectors and programs in order to end homelessness among the county's young people.
5. Sending strong messages:
The general public and elected officials must see the value of taking smart steps, now, to end youth homelessness. Conference participants learned from Fostering Media Connections and others how agencies can frame compelling messages aimed at different audiences.
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