Counties answer call to house local youth

Monterey, San Benito counties help during 100-Day Challenge movement calling attention to youth homelessness.

MONTEREY >> Monterey and San Benito counties stepped up to house a number of youth in response to the 100-Day Challenge, a national movement to call attention to and address youth homelessness.

Between June 29 and Oct. 7, 36 youth in the two neighboring counties were housed with the help of 19 local agencies. Over the course of 100 days, 13 single youth, one pregnant couple, 11 parenting youth and their 10 children were housed and placed in safe and stable housing. Of those placed, over half went into permanent housing, including seven family reunifications, according to a release from Community Human Services, a partnering agency in the campaign.

“This project was an incredible success, not only for the youth who are now safely off the streets but because it revitalized our collective efforts and revamped our systems to better serve homeless youth,” said Shawn Stone, Senior Program Officer of Homeless Services with Community Human Services, in the release.

There were more than 294 homeless youth in Monterey and San Benito counties living unsheltered in 2019.

Salinas Valley and Monterey Peninsula street outreach teams for homeless youth were instrumental in identifying and assessing the youth. Young people ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness can contact the street outreach teams at 831-241- 0914 for assistance.

Community Human Services is Monterey County’s only agency dedicated to serving runaway and homeless youth. Its Safe Place, Safe Passage and Salinas Valley Street Outreach programs provide a continuum of services, from counseling, street outreach and distribution of survival aid to case management and temporary shelter.

Even with the Challenge being officially over, 14 youth are still active in the application process and may soon be housed once their eligibility is confirmed, all paperwork and supporting documents are submitted and, in some cases, background checks are completed. Another 107 have been assessed for housing and will continue to be supported in obtaining housing.

“The Salinas Valley Street Outreach Program has been very helpful to my 3-year-old daughter and me, especially during this time of COVID-19,” said Icela R., a parenting youth who was recently housed through the Challenge. “They have helped me to submit documents that I could not get myself and successfully placed us into housing.”

She said the program has given her hope during these difficult times, especially being a young mother and a student.

With guidance from the Rapid Results Institute, which trains and supports local communities in implementing the 100-Day social initiatives, 19 community partners were able to achieve the results in Monterey and San Benito counties through an unprecedented, concentrated and collaborative effort.

Additionally, AXA Insurance provided a $5,000 grant to fund Tracfones and phone cards so the outreach teams could stay in touch with the youth, as well as flyers and marketing materials.

The agencies partnering in the 100-Day Challenge included Central Coast Center for Independent Living, The Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, Community Human Services, Community Solutions, Emmaus House, First Five of Monterey County, Monterey County Health Department, Monterey County Department of Social Services, Mon

terey County Probation Department, Monterey Police Department, Peacock Acres, Rancho Cielo, Rape Crisis Center, The Salvation Army, San Benito Community Services and Workforce Development, San Benito County Probation Department, Sun Street Center, Youth Alliance, and the YWCA.

For more information about Community Human Services, call 831- 658-3811 or visit www.chservices.org