GYA Homeless Youth Diversion Program

Housing and Homelessness

San Fernando Valley

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Over the last five years, GYA has seen an increase in the number of homeless youth that walk through our doors who have no network of support. They are in desperate need of housing and employment resources. Since January 2020 and most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, area surveys reveal the top three causes of homelessness are: rent increase, loss of employment and unexpected illness. Most of the youth are unable to access temporary or permanent housing resources because they are classified as "individuals" with no dependents and, therefore, not a priority in regard to the high need in the community. Therefore, GYA decided to apply for grant funds and address the unmet needs of our community by providing emergency housing to TAY homeless youth and work closely with them to transition them into permanent housing and employment.

GYA's main service has and will continue to be paid employment. Employment is one of the most critical components in transitioning an individual out of homelessness. In order to ensure that individuals are successful, we need to ensure that they have the basic need, food, shelter, and clothing. Our goal this fiscal year is to provide up to 30 days of hotel vouchers to a minimum of 20 youth for a total of 500 nights. The hotel vouchers will be provided to the youth participants that are homeless or on the verge of homelessness, and that are between the ages 16-25 as a means of emergency housing. Meanwhile we work closely with the youth participants to find employment and connect them to the needed services to transition to permanent housing. Each youth that participates in GYA programs will receive work readiness, career exploration, and soft skills training provided by various partners and a new dedicated Case manager. Participants will be placed in paid work experience worksites based on their skills, aptitude, and career interest. Each participant will work with a case manager responsible for mentoring and coaching, as well as, providing needed services based on the individual to ensure they have all the tools and resources needed to succeed in the workforce and in their personal life. During the GYA intake process youth are able to identify any needs or concerns they may have including shelter, food, transportation, and mental health resources.

The success of the funded project will be evaluated by meeting and/or exceeding the set objectives. In addition to providing up to 30 nights of hotel stay, participants will be placed in paid work-experience worksites based on their skills, aptitude, and career interest. The goal for older youth will be to transition onto permanent employment. Each participant will have a case manager responsible for mentoring and coaching, as well as, providing needed services based on the individual to ensure they have all the tools and resources needed to succeed in the workforce and in their personal life. Addressing the homeless issue in the Verdugo region contributes to alleviate the homeless epidemic throughout Los Angeles County, specifically the city of Los Angeles. According to the "LA Youth Count", close to 3,000 youth are homeless in Los Angeles County. GYA's project will help to reduce the number of vulnerable youth in LA County and get them on a path to success.

GOAL - Serve additional homeless, or on the verge of homelessness, Verdugo youth between the ages 16-25 with temporary housing assistance and direct case management through a new staff position. Objective 1 - Provide a minimum of one-night hotel stays up to 30 nights as a means of emergency housing for a minimum of 20 homeless, or on the verge of homelessness, local youth. Objective 2 - Provide seed funding for new Case Manager staff position. Objective 3 - Seek diverse funding to continue sustaining new staff position. Objective 4 - Connect the 20 youth to needed services to transition to permanent housing. Objective 5 - Each youth participant will work with the new Case Manager responsible for mentoring and coaching, as well as providing needed services based on the individual to ensure their basic needs are met. Objective 6 - Youth will be enrolled in GYA employment programs and offer paid jobs based on skills, aptitude, and career interests.

We will work with the City of Glendale Homeless services and Continuum of Care to find appropriate services based on individual needs.