Huck House Youth Outreach Program: Helping Young People Gain Access to Housing

Our five-member youth outreach team has added to the list of ways they can help young people. They were recently authorized by the Community Shelter Board to certify homelessness. Without this certification, young people have a hard time accessing alternative housing such as rapid re-housing or permanent supportive housing. Usually,  individuals must stay in an adult homeless shelter in order to be added to the list for housing options.

According to YOP manager Kyra Crockett-Hodge, many young people experiencing homelessness prefer not to go to adult shelters for many reasons: they prefer to be with their peers, they are afraid of theft, and they generally feel vulnerable in adult shelters.

Knowing that many young people do not use adult shelters, the Huck House YOP team offers a different entry point for accessing housing.

“We know that young people are more likely to accept guidance and help from people they trust,” said Rebecca Westerfelt, Huck House’s executive director. “One of the strengths of our YOP team is that they build relationships with youth going through difficult times and can offer appropriate help.”

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Items we need:

Clothing and Personal Items

  • Underwear
  • Sweatpants (Youth M – Adult XXL)
  • Sweatshirts (Youth M – Adult XXL)
  • Shorts (Youth M – Adult XXL)
  • T-shirts (Youth M – Adult XXL)
  • Socks
  • Wallets
  • Earbuds

          Please note that we are unable to accept any used clothing items.

General Supplies

  • Composition notebooks/journals
  • Adult coloring books
  • Colored pencils
  • Art supplies
  • “Smell goods” (i.e. Bath & Body Works)

Toiletries and Hygiene Products

  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo and conditioner*
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Body soap*
  • Tootbrushes and toothpaste*
  • Brushes and combs
  • Ethnic hair care products

    The * denotes that the item must be in a full size bottle.

Misellaneous Items

  • Baby items
  • Pillows
  • Solid color twin comforters and sheet sets
  • Kitchen utensils, general cleaning and laundry supplies, picture frames
  • Non-perishable food items for youth outreach (crackers, cup of soup, fruit snacks, chips)
  • Gift cards from $5 to $25 for fast food restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations
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