Young People Deserve a Bed. Period.

Research has found that homelessness among young people is a fluid experience. From couch surfing to sleeping on the streets or in a shelter, the vast majority of youth do not become homeless by choice.

Specific subpopulations of youth and young adults face a higher risk for homelessness.

• Black youth face an 83% increased risk than their white peers.

• Hispanic youth face a 33% increased risk.

• LGBTQ youth were more than twice as likely to have experienced homelessness.

• Young parents—especially unmarried—had a three times higher risk than non-parenting peers.

• Youth with experiences of foster care, juvenile detention, jail, or prison.

• Youth who do not complete high school are 3.5 times more likely to experience homelessness than peers who completed a high school diploma.

*Source: https://nn4youth.org/learn/youth-homelessness/

From the desk of Audi - Week 4 at FYP

Hello!

This week I finally presented my PowerPoint presentation for the HALS COC meeting.. I was very nervous but in the end, I had a good turnout and created much conversation. With the Youth-Led Townhall coming up this week I have attended meetings and created an agenda for how the Town Hall will go. There should be a great turnout since we have been doing as much advertising as we could. Over the weekend, SU students passed out over 150 fliers! 

As many know, finding a job can be difficult. Putting in countless applications can be frustrating, especially when you do not get an interview or call back. Now imagine having more barriers such as being an ex-felon. How do we expect people to integrate back into society when a lot of rights, such as voting and privileges are taken away from them? After doing some research on what companies do consider or take felons into consideration. I have created a list of a few companies in Salisbury and surrounding areas. 

• AT&T

• Verizon 

• Ace Hardware 

• Baskin- Robbins 

• Buffalo Wild Wings

• Chili’s 

• Chipotle 

• Dollar Tree

• Family Dollar 

• Goodwill 

• GreyHound 

• Red Lobster 

• PetSmart 

• Jiffy Lube 

• Kohl’s  

https://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/siteimages/peace/documents/Jail_and_Prison_Ministry/List_of_Felon_Friendly_Employers.pdf 

From The Desk of Audi - Week 3 at FYP

Hello! 

This week has been more focused on finishing up some projects. I am making the final touches to my PowerPoint presentation to present to the HALS COC meeting next week. As well as the annual sleepout on November 17th and town hall that is in a few weeks. Things are slowly coming together.

For my new project I have been working on creating a rough draft for host applications and contracts. The Fenix Youth Project has the exciting news of getting approved for host housing!

I have also learned about new policies that have been implemented that could and will affect the homeless population overall. Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 - Police Discipline and Law Enforcement Programs and Procedures and Maryland House Bill 189. The Accountability Act prohibits a police officer from preventing a citizen from recording the officer's actions if the citizen is otherwise acting lawfully and safely. Also learned that HB 189 is a Pilot Program in the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization to provide funds to nonprofit organizations to establish or expand mobile laundry services for the homeless. 

I’m excited to learn more during my internship.