In the United States, approximately 4.2 million youth ages 13 to 25 experience homelessness every year. This crisis was exacerbated by the pandemic. Since March 2020, youth have endured crises stemming from being out of school, losing access to regular connections and supports, extreme isolation and escalating tensions at home. Homeless youth faced increasingly dangerous conditions on the streets. According to Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, one in 10 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25, and at least one in 30 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 experience some form of homelessness over the course of a year. They may be coach surfing, sleeping on the streets, or staying in shelters.

November is National Homeless Youth Prevention Month (#NHYPM), a public awareness campaign designed to “shine a light” on the experiences of homeless youth that too often remain invisible.   It is also an opportunity to spotlight the resources available to support youth in crisis throughout the nation.   Please join with Youth MOVE Colorado to increase awareness and promote solutions to prevent and end youth homelessness. We believe every one of us can make an impact. The toolkit is full of ideas about how you can increase awareness, learn and provide support.

To see the toolkit click here

Opportunity One:  Use the events calendar included in the toolkit to spread the word.    Sign up and support #homelessyouthawareness by inviting other youth to join you at events.  

Opportunity Two: Reach out and invite your schools McKinney Vento Liaison, a homeless youth provider or member or your local homeless coalition to come and share about youth homelessness and provide information about resources in the community that can support youth.

Opportunity Three:   Host a Powerful Conversation.   These conversations are a chance for people become more familiar with the youth experience, hear different perspectives, learn and think about how we want our community to move forward.  

Opportunity One: Host a movie night.  Watch a movie about youth homelessness. Movies are a powerful way to understand the realities of this issue.  

Here are a few suggestions

• American Street Kid:  Follows several young people, who reveal how they became homeless and discusses their daily struggle to survive on the streets of Los Angeles.
• Homestretch:  Follows three homeless teens as they fight to stay in school, graduate, and create a new life.  

Opportunity Two:  Post an Instagram or Facebook story.  Use a caption or record yourself talking about the impact of youth homelessness and your ideas for what we can do to prevent and end youth homelessness.

Care packages are a great way to support youth experiencing homelessness.  You might create basic human need packages that include basic toiletries, socks, money for public transportation and other necessities. With winter coming you could have a mitten and hat drive.  You could create self-care packages.  You could help create meal packages to help make sure that food pantries have food for youth.   Start by research what local programs need and where you can donate your care packages you might give them to a shelter or leave with your schools McKinney Vento Liaison