LIVEHomeless Youth Diversion and Mental Health Program
Glendale Youth Alliance (GYA) always strives to meet the ever changing needs of the youth of our community! The GYA Diversion Program is unique as it provides much needed emergency shelter to homeless youth within 24-48 hours to minimize the trauma experienced. Additionally, GYA Case Managers work collaboratively with partner agencies to connect youth to stable housing, employment and wrap around services to address the emotional and mental health issues faced.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Affordable housing and homelessness
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
In recent years the Verdugo Region of LA County has seen an increase in the number of homeless youth who are without a network of support. They are in desperate need of housing, employment, and mental health services. GYA has seen a significant rise in depression and suicidal ideation over the past year, and especially since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. These feelings of isolation and hopelessness further deter the youth from being motivated and moving ahead with their lives. The youth need a safe place to sleep, job training and employment, and help with addressing the mental issues that have become obstacles to living full lives.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
In addition to helping youth with emergency housing, basic needs and employment. GYA's goal is to reduce barriers and connect youth to trained and knowledgeable, bilingual community leaders, and psychologists, who can provide much needed support and mental health services. This component is essential to the youths' success towards self-sufficiency and will be added to GYA's Youth Diversion Program to become the Youth Diversion and Mental Health Program.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
Addressing the homeless issue in the Verdugo region contributes to alleviating 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 through temporary housing, employment and by addressing the underlying mental health issues.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
GYA's goal is to serve additional Verdugo Region homeless youth, or those on the verge of homelessness, with emergency housing, employment, and mental health support. With the addition of the mental health component, it ensures the youth have all the resources they need to succeed today and, in the future, without the weight of unaddressed mental health issues holding them back. The impact of the program will be measured by meeting the objectives below: Objective 1 – Provide hotel stays up to 30 nights for a minimum of 20 youth.
Objective 2 – Each participant will work with a dedicated Case Manager responsible for mentoring, coaching, providing resources to make sure basic needs are met, and connecting youth to appropriate mental health professionals. Objective 3 – Youth will be enrolled in GYA employment programs and offer paid jobs based on skills, aptitude, and
career interests.
Objective 4 - Connect the 20 youth to needed services to transition to permanent housing.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 20.0
Indirect Impact: 100.0