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Who We Help
AHO - serves a broad spectrum of youth - no “safety net” or guidance - doubly challenged today
Youth in the system
Youth never in the system
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estranged from families unable to guide, support or inspire
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families who have run out of resources and energy
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youth disconnected from their families
What is it like to be a homeless young adult in Marin?
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wake up each day not know where you will be living
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anxious depressed angry
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without healthcare
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without someone who believes in you
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distrustful of the systems and adults who have not been there when you needed them
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without guidance and support you need to find a job
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no financial reserves for emergencies
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lack of skills to lift you out of the hole you are in
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What is the breakdown of this population?
Youth estranged from families:
Without financial resources/
energy Burnt out/overwhelmed
Unable to guide/support
Without healthy parenting
themselves |
Youth without family or adult:
Residential placements
Juvenile Services
Foster Care System
Mental Health System |
Youth have never been in the system at all:
Fallen through the cracks of the system
Runaways Schooled in Marin - from other counties
Youth military veterans
Gay/transgender disowned by family
What it is like to be a young adult and homeless in Marin?
Can you imagine yourself waking up daily….
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not know where you will be living
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feeling anxious, depressed, angry, hopeless on a daily basis
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without healthcare, yet you need medication to manage your
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anxiety, depression and sleeplessness
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feeling so alone and lost without someone who believes in you
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not trusting the systems and adults who historically have not been there when you needed them
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with the stress of carrying all your personal items from one place to another on a daily or weekly basis
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lost and afraid with no financial reserves for emergencies
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overwhelmed by lack of skills to find a job
this is the reality of life for our young adults who are homeless |
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Statistics on youth 2-4 years after leaving the system….
35% are homeless
40% are on public assistance
50% are unemployed
25% of the males are incarcerated
50% plus girls have given birth
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Why are so many of our young adults homeless today?
- not prepared to live independently
- no “safety net” - family to rely on
- no guidance to obtain, navigate finding safe, stable housing
- no money management, actual banking-checkbook experience
- no experience /guidance in navigating leases, security deposits
- no financial reserves for unexpected circumstances
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