Street Outreach Program
City House’s Street Outreach Program meets youth ages 16 up to 24 by providing a safe place to escape unsafe living and weather conditions during the day at the Youth Resource Center. Youth can also be found and served where they are at through roving. Roving offers connection, food and hygiene packs, and support to help reduce harm and open pathways to safety and stability.
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Our Street Outreach Program (SOP) utilizes case managers that are trained in crisis intervention and a housing first approach, who work with youth experiencing unstable housing, neglect, or abuse between the ages of 16 and 21. Youth are served through roving Collin County and managing our Youth Resource Center (YRC).
Whether young adults need a shower, new clothes, assistance with their job search or to speak with a counselor, the staff at the YRC can help. We provide access to food, hygiene products, laundry facilities, bus passes, and a safe place to shelter between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. Additionally, we work with community partners to connect youth with other resources to meet their long-term needs. Our Resource Center is located within walking distance of a DART which allows for easy access to services for at-risk youth and young adults.
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Our Street Outreach Program is for:
Youth and young adults who are experiencing unstable housing, abuse and/or neglect that lead to challenges with basic needs.
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City House provides the following:
Basic Needs Support
Access to food, new clothing, shower, laundry services, hygiene items and any additional items requested to meet immediate needs and restore dignity.Transportation Assistance
Help getting to safe housing options, doctors visits, vital appointments, school, or job interviews, or work when transportation is a barrier. Bus passes are also provided on a weekly basis to youth and youth adults in our SOP.Crisis Intervention
In-person and phone-based support to assess immediate needs, provide guidance, and help stabilize and de-escalate crisis situations.Access to Technology & Resources
Use of computers, resource materials, and reference tools to support education, job searches, and next steps.Case Management & Resource Referrals
Building connection and referring youth to housing, healthcare, education, and community services, guided by ongoing case management.Counseling Services
Individual, group, and family counseling focused on emotional support, coping skills, and healing.Education & Employment Support
Assistance with completing High School, GED, or enrolling into college. Supporting youth and young adults with job readiness training (resume, interviewing, attire) and connecting them with community partners for job opportunities.
Who Does Street Outreach Serve?
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
All numbers from 2024 reports
Why We’re Needed
The Risk of Human Trafficking is Rising
In 2023, 71% of our Runaway Homeless Youth residents staying at My Friend’s House identified as high-risk or had confirmed victimization after being screened with the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool.
The percentage for 2023 went up 19% from 2022 and 31% from 2020.
Experiencing Homelessness is Dangerous
1 in 3 youth without housing will be propositioned for sex within 48 hours of being on the street. Victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking often develop critically low self-esteem, experience disproportionate rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and suicidal thoughts.
Over 5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, suicide, or illness.
Youth Experiencing Homelessness are often unseen
Many believe that homelessness among young people doesn’t exist because it’s not as overt as adult homelessness, however, this is far from the truth. Youth often couch surf, stay with friends, sleep in their cars, or bounce between shelters to avoid going home or going into foster care.
