The Huckleberry Advocacy & Response Team (HART)
Receives State Funding to Expand Services
Pictured: Mayor London Breed (center) and Huckleberry’s Executive Director Douglas Styles (far right) at a press conference on July 10 announcing funding to combat human trafficking in SF.
Huckleberry Youth Programs co-authored a recent grant application to the CA Department of Social Services for funding that will provide housing and services for SF youth who are survivors or at risk of human trafficking, specifically commercial sexual exploitation.

A $9.3 million grant was awarded to the city, and  Huckleberry, as part of a collaboration with the SF Department on the Status of Women  and other community-based partners, will pilot innovative alternatives for working with commercially sexually exploited youth , providing them  with immediate safety and options for more stable housing.

In 2017, 22 public and non-profit agencies in the Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking identified 673 cases of human trafficking in San Francisco. Fifty-five percent of those trafficking cases were in commercial sex. The Task Force determined that at least 307 youth reported experiencing exploitation in the commercial sex industries in San Francisco. Thirty-three percent of all persons trafficked in commercial sex were minors, 50% were youth between 18 and 24 years old, and 70% are people of color. 

“From our pioneering  Huckleberry Advocacy and Response Team , we know youth do best when they define safety, healing, and success on their own terms. This grant will allow us to meet youth where they are,” said Douglas Styles, Executive Director of Huckleberry Youth Programs. 

The Huckleberry Advocacy and Response Team (HART) has provided crucial 24/7 crisis response and case management to commercially sexually exploited youth since 2016.
Thanks to the Fullerton Family Foundation
Huckleberry Marin is a Hub for
Sexualized Violence Prevention Education
Huckleberry Teen Health Program in Marin recently completed its first year of programming to specifically address sexualized violence prevention and intervention, fueled by the investment of the Fullerton Family Foundation. 

Huckleberry and the Fullerton Family Foundation’s shared commitment to creating a youth hub for sexualized violence education, outreach, connection and safety, resulted in programming that produced 120 hours of new curriculum facilitated with 700 high school students; screening for 430 youth in Huckleberry’s Teen Tuesday Clinic; and evidence-based first response and linkage to further support for youth survivors of sexual assault.
 
After just one year of this new programming, youth voices are calling for more, identifying the ways that harassment, digital media, and sociocultural norms are impacting them. Huckleberry hopes to continue the work that began with the Fullerton Family Foundation, exploring new partnerships to initiate developmentally appropriate curriculum for middle school youth, and expand outreach so that all Marin youth know they have a safe space to learn, empower, and get support.
Eagle Scout, Chris, Gives Back to the Huckleberry Youth Health Center!
For his final Eagle Scout project, Chris Dean (pictured) spent 8 months organizing the young people in his church and Scout troop to raise money for supplies for youth at the Huckleberry Youth Health Center .

Chris raised over $1,200, and he and his dad delivered boxes and boxes of clothing and hygiene supplies to the HYHC - sweatshirts, warm hats, gloves, socks, toothbrushes, and deodorant.

Jackson Bowman, Director of the Huckleberry Youth Health Center-SF, said of his time spent with Chris, "He has a huge heart - he sat with me to learn more about the needs of homeless youth in San Francisco, and what kinds of supplies would benefit them most. I'll never forget the day Chris and his dad came to deliver everything they donated ! They had storage bin after storage bin of sweatshirts, hygiene supplies, stocking caps, warm socks - he even remembered learning about homeless youth having to repair torn sleeping bags and included needles and thread! It has been so inspiring to see a young leader like Chris step up to provide support to other young people in his community. Many, many thanks to Chris for his dedication, humility, perseverance and leadership!"
SUPPORT HUCKLEBERRY AT AN UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENT!
BEACH BLANKET BABYLON HOLIDAY BENEFIT
THURSDAY, DEC. 5 AT 8:00 PM
After 45 years, the longest running musical revue in history, Beach Blanket Babylon , will close its doors on Dec. 31, 2019. Join Huckleberry Youth Programs for one of the FINAL PERFORMANCES EVER of this legendary show.

VIP tickets include a pre-performance reception at North Beach’s eclectic and lively Park Tavern featuring wine, cocktails, and high-end bistro fare from 5 pm to 7 pm, valet parking, premium seating for the performance, and cocktails at the show!
STEP UP TO THE PLATE
with the SF Giants

Tues. Sept. 24 vs.
Colorado Rockies
6:45 pm

Each year, Step Up to the Plate raises awareness and funds for local nonprofits, serving our most vulnerable youth.

A portion of your ticket purchase for the Sept. 24 Giants game will be donated to Huckleberry!