Content categorized as Youth

There was an 800-person discrepancy between two counts of youth homelessness completed four months apart in DC

The annual Point in Time Count of people experiencing homelessness, a nationwide effort, found nearly 500 youth ages 18-24 to be homeless in the District while D.C.’s annual Homeless Youth Census reported approximately 1,300 youth in the same age range as homeless.

Housing program for homeless LGBTQ+ youth to open a brand new 14-bed house

In January 2017, the local nonprofit SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) launched its signature youth house, a 2-year, 12-bed transitional living program for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in the D. C. metropolitan area. This July, the organization received a contract to create a second house, which is set to open its doors before the summer ends.

More resources for homeless youth, please!

A formerly homeless woman argues that we should do something to help youth when they age out of foster case and may end up homeless.

What do you tell your teens?

Vendor Jackie Turner shares her advice for teenagers on their way to adulthood.

New STEM lab showcases a dedication to improving the lives of disadvantaged students at Ketcham Elementary

An Anacostia public school just created a brand-new STEM lab for its students  — many of whom may be experiencing homelessness or poverty.

Mac & Jenny: Unconditional Love

Artist/Vendor Ibn Hipps writes the second part of a series about two misunderstood children, encountering the trials and tribulations of growing up.

Xavier adventures with the urban challenge

Artist/Vendor experiences participating in the Xavier challenge, an event meant to expose university students to the experience of homelessness.

Children’s book facilitates discussion about homelessness and how to help

In “I See You”, a young boy observes the hardships of a homeless woman who seems invisible to everyone else, and returns her visibility through an act of compassion.

When You Young

Vendor and artist Reggie Jones shares a poem about youth and hope.

Mac & Jenny: Middle class and misunderstood

Mac meets Jenny while his mother talks to the principal about his troubles at school.

With DC General closed, this organization is bringing playtime to children in overflow family shelters

The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project gives children a chance to enjoy themselves while in a difficult situation.

Lilly, the first homeless Muppet, is returning to Sesame Street

Sesame Workshop announced on Dec. 12 that Lilly, Sesame Street’s first homeless Muppet, will be reintroduced on its show. The bilingual character is expected to teach young viewers empathy for those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

This website could help homeless youth in D.C. know their rights and resources

Youth experiencing homelessness often do not know about the resources available to them. Law firm Baker McKenzie, in partnership with Disney and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, is compiling all resources and rights available to homeless youth in one webpage using easy-to-understand language.

D.C.’s Cardinal Wuerl resigns amid more abuse allegations against Catholic Church

After a grand jury investigation revealed the details of ‘predator priests’ in Pennsylvania, with up to 1,000 victims affected, the attorney who helped the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team investigate clergy sex abuse says it’s only the beginning.

Metro Transit Police target Black youth for fare evasion, report says

The Washington Lawyers Committee recently released a report showing racial disparities in fare evasion enforcement by the Metro Transit Police.

D.C. Council stands up to Trump Administration’s attempt to eliminate LGBTQ health data collection

D.C. local government agrees upon LGBTQ health data collection, in opposition to Trump Administration’s attempt to eliminate it.

How we are learning about homelessness

Children learning about homelessness at Tenleytown Library.

Many people struggle to understand extreme poverty in America

Artist/Vendor James Davis recounts his experiences with foreign students in a homeless challenge program.

Who Will End Youth Homelessness?

Is life tough? Ask young people who are experiencing homelessness. On the first day of spring, despite heavy snow, I left for work at 5 a.m. to supervise our delivery crew unloading the latest edition of Street Sense. A few blocks away from the office, I saw a young man on the street, probably 14 years old, asking for money for breakfast. He is not alone in his circumstances. A 2017 study shows that there are 4.2 million adolescents and young adults in the U.S who are experiencing homelessness.

This young DC-area woman published a children’s book to spread messages of positivity

A’dora Willis, a 19-year-old alumna of D.C. SCORES, just published her first children’s book “He and Me: Little Nuggets for Bright Futures.” The book was inspired by the children Willis is surrounded by through her mother’s daycare and her continued work with students in D.C. SCORES.