What We Do

We take a collaborative approach to helping troubled teens and young adults empower themselves to develop self-sufficiency.  There are five aspects to this approach which are the keystones of success for our clients:

Presence

We understand that many troubled young adults are entering a stage in their life in which adults are not to be trusted or relied upon.  For this reason, we will establish a presence ‘on the streets’ to interact with and display our unconditional love toward homeless teenagers and young adults.  Through our employees and volunteers, we will provide mobile ‘coffee houses’ where teens can come and get a hot meal and conversation with no strings attached.  It is important that the decision to move from street living to self-sufficiency is their decision and not someone else’s.  We believe that our only hope lies in the grace of God.  Where and when appropriate, we will share the Good News of God’s love for us and his redeeming work through his son, Jesus Christ.

Mentorship

Most homeless teens and young adults have no one in their life to whom they can look for guidance when it comes to establishing self-sufficiency.  Childhood was marked by abuse and neglect.  Our hope is to provide relationships whereby they can have someone to provide the guidance they so desperately need to put their lives together and make decisions that will have a positive impact on them for the rest of their lives.  By reaching out to children before they age out of the foster care system, we hope to have a significant impact on preventing the cycle of homelessness and precarious living arrangements before they start.

Financial Assistance

Many young adults have the desire to get off the streets, or prevent themselves from being there in the first place.  But they lack some of the basic financial resources that most of us take for granted.  Our hope is to provide them with the money they need while they transition to independence; things such as help with rent while they go to school or seek employment, utility payment assistance, help with finding suitable transportation to allow them to maintain employment and meet basic needs.

Transitional Housing

Reliable living conditions are key to helping young adults achieve self-sufficiency.  Due to a lack of rental history or stable employment, it is difficult for most to acquire semi-permanent living arrangements on their own, such as apartments or rental housing.  We hope to establish a home where young adults are welcome to stay for up to two years as long as they adhere to certain program requirements.  These requirements will include drug abstinence, stable employment or continuing education, and the ability to show progression into self-sufficiency.

Life-skills Training

We provide training in areas that are the basis of living a self-sufficient life.  This training includes dress and appearance, job interviewing , resume writing, employee behavior, personal budgeting and other skills.