Content categorized as Youth

Senator Al Franken on Ending Homelessness

Senator Al Franken sat down with Street Sense vendor Ken Martin to discuss homelessness, gentrification and Bill Maher.

Diversion program keeps kids out of prison and off the streets

Since its creation in mid-2014, the Alternative to the Court Experience diversion program has provided necessary resources to hundreds of young people while protecting them from the juvenile justice system, which experts say often fails to rehabilitate youth.

Kids Lending a Hand

While many adults have grown complacent, kids continue to do the hard work necessary to end homelessness

New Plan for D.C Homeless Youth

D.C. officials released the first-ever plan to decrease youth homelessness on May 22. The plan includes prevention and outreach efforts, increasing housing options and providing youth with mentors. The plan will provide shelter and a support systems for indivduals up to 24-years-old.

D.C.’s Former All-LGBTQ Gang Seeks to Pay It Forward

The new documentary “Check It,” directed by Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer, follows the rise of the first known all-LGBTQ gang.

Deconstructing ‘Inclusive Prosperity’

Mayor Muriel Bowser presented her fiscal year 2018 budget to the District’s Council April 4. Focusing on public education, affordable housing and relief for District taxpayers, government officials and advocacy groups alike have questioned all D.C. residents’ ability to share in the city’s “inclusive prosperity” under the proposal.

If You See Something, Say Something:
High school criminals

Phillip Black writes about observing young teenagers deliberately break the rules while on trains and how officers don’t make an effort to stop them.

Homeless LGBTQ Youth Remain Undercounted in the District

At Friendship Place’s annual Education and Advocacy symposium, attendees discussed LGBTQ homelessness and the lasting effects of adolescent hardships.

The March, The Gift

A story of the Women’s March in Washington .

Teens Give Back on MLK Weekend

During Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend, teens from Southeast D.C. participated in service projects to honor MLK and celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Our Lives Matter campaign, which empowers Black youth in D.C.

Filmmaker Seeks New Approach to End Youth Homelessness

A documentary by filmmaker Michael Leoni portrays the challenges facing homeless youth in Los Angeles.

D.C. Homelessness on the Rise, According to HUD Report

In a new HUD report, D.C. tied with Idaho for the highest percentage increase in homelessness.

Strict Dress Codes Create Educational Barriers for Homeless Kids

Three quarters of public and charter schools in the District now require uniforms, and according to a Street Sense analysis, some uniforms cost as much as $60 dollars each. The average D.C. public school uniform costs $28 for boys and $32 for girls.

Former Park Resident Spreads Humility and Love

Don Gardner, a nonprofit founder and former Street Sense vendor, organized a six-hour gathering in Franklin Square Park that included music, prayer, children’s entertainment and food and clothing donations.

D.C. Council Considers Foster Care Bill of Rights

D.C. councilmembers will soon consider legislation requiring clear and consistent information for foster parents.

The Message

Vendor artist writes to youth, asking them to make positive decisions.

Youth-Run Bike Shop Teaches Job Skills in Northeast

Gearin’ Up is a bike shop in Northeast that teaches the youth volunteers skills to help them join the workforce.

Fill a Backpack Accepting Donations

Fill a Backpack, Fuel a Dream is accepting donations for the upcoming school year until August 17.

Youth Lead Ivy City Civic Engagement, Call for Crummell Rec Center

Community members in Ivy City get involved with proposals about what to do with specific neighborhood spaces like Crummell School.

Lighting the Way to College for Homeless Youth

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education and BB&T Bank provided funding to send 15 homeless D.C. students to summer “bridge” programs at local universities, where they take college courses and stay in dorms.