Content categorized as Youth

The coming storm

L. Morrow on the promise of young activists in politics.

Expanding child care can help Black women overcome disparities in domestic violence

Sandra Jackson from the House of Ruth on the importance of childcare for Black women.

At SMYAL’s Youth House, LGBTQ+ youth are provided with housing and affirmation

SMYAL provides economic and housing support during the pandemic through a housing program for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.

This is how I became me, Peaches

In this heartwrenching personal essay, a native Washingtonian recounts the many struggles she overcame when young to finally want to be alive.

COVID-19 and crowded spaces: the not-so-easy start of virtual learning for homeless students

Teachers and local organizations are pushing for more support for homeless students so that they can successfully stay on track while taking classes.

The greatest SIN in our community

Artist and vendor Pierre Johnson points out flaws in the education system and how detrimental this can be for students.

How one local teacher works with big dreams and small contributions

Raymond Pyle, who teaches at Moten Elementary school, believes the key to a better education starts with a properly funded community. His classroom goals for students won’t be put into action without proper support.

Limiting police power in schools is a win for some and a step back for others

n July 8, local anti-police groups got one step closer to their goal of police-free schools when the D.C. Council passed an amendment to change… Read more »

At-risk youth hold peaceful demonstration in support of Black and brown lives

At least 100 formerly homeless youth took to the streets of Eastern Market on June 16 for a demonstration in support of their peers and the Black Lives Matter movement. They were all members of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, which houses approximately 150 runaway and homeless youth and provides counseling, education, and life- skill services.

We all feel pain

A poem by Marcellus Phillips.

Annual survey reveals a continued decrease in family homelessness, no change for youth, and an increase for single individuals

The annual Point-in-Time Count shows the number of homeless people in DC fell for the fifth consecutive year. But experts warn the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic will likely cause an increase in homelessness.

Battle Poem: Old School vs Youth

Two perspectives on life shared by artist and vendor Ibn Hipps.

Anthony Denico Williams, aspiring group home director, killed at 20

Anthony Williams died, on Jan. 26 in an altercation over a sale of K2. He aspired to open a group home for homeless adults and youth. His family and friends memorialized him at The House of Praise on Feb. 13.

11-month-old dies in hotel used as overflow for DC family shelters

An 11-month-old girl died in a hotel being used as a family shelter early in February.

I am one of the 12,000 youth who is homeless in California. One day, I’m going to have my own house.

Justin Jones, one of the many youth experiencing homelessness in California, shares his story.

Rocketship school officials cite new security and communication protocol after attempted kidnapping

School officials at Rocketship Rise Academy Public Charter School presented security and communication changes to protect their students in light of an attempted kidnapping.  

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.