Youth Voices Speak on Homelessness

Last school year, Wicomico County Public schools served 437 families and students in transition. Across the lower shore, youth experiencing homelessness is steadily increasing and young people are asking, “Why aren’t we doing anything about homelessness?”

On October 21, 2021, at 4:00 pm, Fenix Youth Project Inc. invites the public to attend the Youth-Led Town Hall being held at the Truitt Street Community Center to address the state of homelessness in our area and provide possible solutions. Led by young people, this town hall aims to not only provide a safe space for the community to share their personal experience but also advocate for the creation of a Bill of Rights for Citizens Experiencing Homelessness that will be created by FYP’s Youth Advisory Board (Y.A.B).

Executive Director, Amber Green is excited to partner with Salisbury University students and youth currently utilizing the Arts & Media Drop-In Center to host this event. “I think we’ve put the voices of those experiencing homelessness on the sidelines for far too long and it will take one sub-group of the vulnerable population, the youth, to provide space to another.”

Teachers, counselors, and case managers alike are asked to encourage their young people to attend this event. Food will be provided and community service hours are given to those who need it. The public is invited to this all-ages event and Fenix Youth Project is asking those who have transportation challenges to give them a call at 443-736-8028 to arrange transportation. 

Learning a lot with FYP

Hello!

As promised I would inform ya’ll about what I have learned from the conference. A lot of services that are offered depend on a lot of requirements that not everyone qualifies for. This makes finding housing a barrier along with some agencies picking people as the “star child” or favorite and forgetting about others who are also deserving of help! Along with a lot of policies that are not Trans inclusive, which could be lifesaving.

These past two weeks I have called business about becoming sponsors for our annual sleepout event happening November 17th. I have also attended a meeting with social work students at Salisbury University to discuss the youth-led town hall on youth homelessness on October 21st. I am excited about the turnout!  

Stay tuned.

I’ll have more next week.

My First Week interning at FYP!

Hello! 

My name is Audacious Douglas and I am an intern for the 2021-2022 year. My first week at Fenix Youth Project Inc has been very informative. I started my week off by getting accustomed to the faculty and my responsibilities based on my learning plan. I completed training based on how to better serve the  LGBTQ+  youth, especially the homeless population. I learned a lot about the homeless population specifically in the Eastern shore area. I attended my first HALS CoC meeting where I learned that finding funding for temporary housing, such as hotels is a major issue. I was also able to attend the Point Source Youth Conference: Youth Homelessness where I gained more knowledge that I can’t wait to share in my next post!