Congressional Caucus to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness
Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) announced the reestablishment of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness on February 28. The caucus will provide a dedicated forum for members of Congress to work toward the common goal of ending homelessness in the U.S. Fenix Youth Project Inc. strongly supports the creation of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, which will play a vital role in educating legislators and their staffs, securing additional resources for key programs, and identifying policy opportunities to address the crisis of homelessness.
The Congressional Caucus on Homelessness plans to analyze the complex factors contributing to homelessness and educate members on the federal programs that are key to serving people experiencing homelessness. The caucus will continue to advocate for funding for these programs and explore policies needed to secure affordable housing and voluntary support services for the 580,00 individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night in the U.S.
“Housing is vital to a full and meaningful participation in society, but too many people in Oregon and across our country lack a safe and stable place to call home,” said Rep. Bonamici. “I am grateful for the opportunity to reestablish the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness with my colleagues Reps. Barragán, Garcia, and Bush. The caucus will help members find common ground as we pursue humane, research-backed policies to address homelessness.”
“The United States is experiencing a national homelessness crisis,” said Rep. Barragán. “In Los Angeles County alone there are over 69,000 people experiencing homelessness. Addressing this serious issue requires collaboration, education, and advocacy to improve the lives of our unhoused community members. The Caucus will help to open dialogue and facilitate important conversations about the best ways to solve this crisis.”
“The need for housing is universal, yet over 500,000 people across the country experience being unhoused,” said Rep. Bush. “This is the result of policy failures, and Congress has a moral responsibility to address the unhoused crisis. This caucus provides an important forum for leaders in Congress to cultivate ideas and encourage our fellow Members to support legislative solutions to continue to tackle the housing crisis and ultimately solve it once and for all.”
“It has always been one of my top priorities to ensure equitable opportunity for all Americans, regardless of background, financial condition, ability, or housing status,” said Rep. Garcia. “As a Member of the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I will dedicate my efforts to finding legislative solutions, advocating for critical funding, and keeping our nation’s most vulnerable people housed. We, as Co-Chairs, will fight for homeless individuals alongside our Caucus Members with the collective goal of eradicating this failure in our system, as we believe that housing is a human right.”
Read the press release for more information and a full list of caucus members: https://bit.ly/3JbY2cx
Message from our Youth Ambassador
Hi, my name is Tatiana Jean Baptiste, I’m 16 years old and a sophomore at Wicomico High school. I enjoy designing and creating new projects, I also love to take care of children and help the ones in need to the best of my abilities. Before I joined the Fenix youth Project, I found different ways to help people even if it's just a small deed it could just change someone’s life for the better. Ever since I was a kid, I would do fundraisers to help people in need no matter what the need. Joining the Fenix youth is the best thing I could’ve done. Everyone in the group is very positive and it’s a great safe place it's also a great way to meet new people. I believe that when you have an opportunity you should take it because in doing so you might just be able to help someone else.
Interested in volunteering for the youth count? There is still time. Just call 443-736-8028
The Youth Count acts as an opportunity to connect with these youth to better learn about what we can do to help and connect them to initial supports and services.
What’s Youth Homelessness like on da shore?
It’s a growing issue and quite frankly we are behind in providing these services. Thanks to Wicomico Partnerships for Families and Children, Fenix Youth Project Inc. operates the only Youth Drop-In Center that provides resources to unaccompanied youth. Currently, right now we are serving 64 unaccompanied youth clients and their ages range from 16 to 24. Learn more about Fenix Youth Project Inc. www.fenixyouthproject.org
Lower Shore Youth Count 2022 !
The Youth Count acts as an opportunity to connect with these youth to better learn about what we can do to help and connect them to initial supports and services. Survey data is then used to improve the services and resources available to support these youth and young adults in their community.
First, I know some may be asking, what is the Youth Count?
Youth REACH MD conducts an annual Youth Count that helps identify the number, characteristics, and unique needs of youth and young adults who are under 25, on their own, and without a safe, reliable, and adequate nighttime residence. Youth REACH MD (Reach out, Engage, Assist, and Count to end Homelessness) is an effort to begin to address youth homelessness in Maryland by obtaining information on the number, characteristics, and needs of youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability to help inform efforts to end and prevent youth homelessness
The Youth Count acts as an opportunity to connect with these youth to better learn about what we can do to help and connect them to initial supports and services. Survey data is then used to improve the services and resources available to support these youth and young adults in their community.
What’s Youth Homelessness like on da shore?
It’s a growing issue and quite frankly we are behind in providing these services. Thanks to Wicomico Partnerships for Families and Children, Fenix Youth Project Inc. operates the only Youth Drop-In Center that provides resources to unaccompanied youth. Currently, right now we are serving 64 unaccompanied youth clients and their ages range from 16 to 24. Reflecting the national data that is already available, Fenix Youth Project is servicing those who are overrepresented in the population, including Black youth, pregnant teens, and those from the LGBTQ+ community. In this most recent quarter data collection, of the 17 new clients we brought on in the months of January, February, and March 23% are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Why is the count important you may ask?
Past agency efforts and state homelessness counts have mainly focused on adults and families (including younger accompanied/dependent children). This has resulted in extremely low numbers reported for unaccompanied/ independent youth and young adults who experience housing insecurity.
These youth and young adults frequently go to school and/or have jobs. Many don’t see themselves as homeless, which creates a cycle that keeps them hidden. By not viewing themselves as homeless, they don’t usually access existing community services. Not accessing the services keeps them uncounted or “invisible,” which results in fewer resources and support services available to them.
Youth can also complete the survey at our Drop-In Center anytime during the 2 weeks. If you completed that survey, screenshot the Thank You page and DM us if you want to Stay Connected or complete a Stay Connected card at our Drop-In Center. Doing that will enter you in a raffle to win BIG!
Take The Survey Today!
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Apr 1, 2022, don’t be a fool and not show up to our You Count: 2022 Youth Festival starting at 3:00 PM! We will be having a Road Delight Food truck! Specializing in Maryland Style Seafood and Soul Food. They will be at our Drop In Center ALL DAY, So grab lunch with us and hang with us that day! We will have community resource vendors, free boxing fitness, giveaways, live DJ and more.
And don’t forget April 1st also kicks off Poetry Month! Join us for our 2nd Under 21 Youth Open Mic. Poetry, singing, spoken word. You can sign up via our Instagram and when I tell you the Drop In Center is the place to be on first fridays it definitely is. Open Mic starts at 6:00 PM.