News

Local group forms to shelter homeless girls

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 25, 2014

A local group has formed a new nonprofit organization to meet the needs to young people who have no stable home. Its first goal is to establish a home for teenage girls, the population considered the most vulnerable while living on the streets.

While no single solution will solve the local problem of childhood homelessness, Homes for Youth believes that a first step toward improving the lives of these young people is to establish a licensed, professionally staffed home in the county. Homes for Youth plans to work in partnership with a licensed, residential program to open such a residence.
Its initial goal is to establish a home to accommodate six to eight girls, aged 16-18, who are free of active addiction and psychiatric issues, who are enrolled in school or a work-training program, and are likely referred by the school system or Department of Social Services. This is the most common age range for unaccompanied girls requiring housing. This is also the population perceived to be the most vulnerable while living on the streets.
While there have been other efforts to house young people in need in the past, there is currently no licensed, accredited, professionally staffed residential program in Henderson County. Homes for Youth intends to change that, and in doing so, change the lives of our area's homeless teens.Henderson County school officials have identified 235 homeless children this school year, nearly 60 of whom are "unaccompanied," living alone and without family support. Henderson County Churches United has launched Homes for Youth to respond to the desperate needs of these young people.
Kathleen Lambert chairs a group seeking to help homeless youth."The statistics on homelessness, especially for unaccompanied youth, are heartbreaking," Dr. Kathleen Lambert, Homes for Youth board chair, said in a news release. "In the middle of this affluent community, we have neighbors in need. But as a community, we can reach out and care for the last, the least and the lost."
Unaccompanied youth are indeed often lost. They are constantly on the move, staying at various places for short periods of time. Many "couch surf," sleeping on a friend's couch for a few days before moving on. In more desperate circumstances, they sleep in a car or tent.
Representatives from the seven HCCU churches have worked together to found Homes for Youth, a non-profit organization committed to providing stable, safe and appropriate housing for homeless young people in Henderson County. Offering positive role models, Homes for Youth will strive to enable each young person to reach his or her full potential.
Youth homelessness is an expensive problem to address. The initial step of procuring a suitable home and contracting with a licensed program partner requires a considerable investment. Financial support has begun with over $20,000 raised from churches, civic groups and community leaders.
Financial contributions and volunteer time and talent are needed to move Homes for Youth closer to opening its doors to homeless and unaccompanied youth. Visit www.HomesForYouth.org for more information on how you can help. Contact the group at homes4youthhvl@gmail.com or 828.551.0537.
Homes for Youth is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, recognized by the state of North Carolina as an incorporated non-profit organization. Its Articles of Incorporation have been signed by representatives of all the HCCU churches: First Congregational; First United Methodist; Grace Lutheran; Immaculate Conception Catholic; Providence Baptist; St. James Episcopal; and Trinity Presbyterian churches.