Dòchas Youth Services

08/04/2026

Wanting to learn more about youth homelessness in Michigan? Check out this training by Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness featuring lived experiences of youth from our area!

Tuesday Training | Morning Edition!

Youth Homelessness
Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
No CEUs
Cost: $20 Non-Members/$10 Members
https://www.mihomeless.org/2026/04/29/august-training-youth-homelessness/

This webinar for anyone working with or interested in addressing and preventing the increase in youth homelessness. This webinar features speakers who have experienced youth homelessness who will provide both a first person perspective coupled with the macro data driven best practices for a unique insight into the needs and barriers to persons 18-24 who are facing homelessness.

And thank you to our amazing youth-led panel conducting the training!

07/31/2026

We're so happy to partner with Catholic Charities as a part of our Roadmaps Program - a program that helps at-risk homeless youth complete their high school education through housing, necessities, and support.

06/23/2026

The nation’s most-cited homelessness count leaves out most homeless children and youth. Make it make sense. *Hint*....you can’t.
See what HUD data misses, and why school and early childhood data matter. 🔗 https://schoolhouseconnection.org/article/hud-pit-count-misses-homeless-children-youth
Public schools identified more than 1.5 million homeless children and youth last year. An estimated 446,996 infants and toddlers experienced homelessness in 2022–23. And more than 80% of the children and youth schools identify as homeless don’t meet HUD’s definition.
That means they don’t appear in .S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data — and too often, they’re left out of the story and the solutions.

06/16/2026

Did you know that 18 youth receiving services through Dòchas recently graduated from high school? One with Honors and another was class Valedictorian! Another youth received their Associates Degree. At least two of these youth are confirmed for college in the fall, with scholarships to Grand Valley State University and Trine University.

Additionally, a client was able to secure housing and a moped for transportation to work, another youth and their parent found an affordable apartment with the help of our Housing Case Manager, and a young couple and their baby moved into a new apartment.

These are just a few of the stories among the nearly 3,000 hours of service that Dòchas provided to youth across Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe Counties last year.

We cannot let crucial programs like ours take cuts, furthermore, we need to ensure that EVERY community in Michigan has quality programs to address the needs of their most vulnerable youth. Please contact your legislators today (link in comments).

Late last year - for the first time ever - Michigan had a Runaway & Homeless Youth agency to serve every county! After the FY27 Budget passes, what headline do you want to see?

“Runaway & Homeless Youth Funds Cut; Agencies Struggle to Maintain Services in UP & Rural Counties”
or...
“Michigan Protects Runaway & Homeless Youth; Funding Strengthens Services In Many Rural Counties”

MNYF, along with Michigan's Children knows what headline we want to see. Join us and let your legislators know you want to see continued support for Runaway & Homeless Youth via the link below (see first comment)

06/11/2026

Last year, Dòchas staff provided 933 hours of Crisis Intervention and Aftercare, 1,824 hours of case management, and 162 hours of Counseling for our most vulnerable youth across our communities. Please consider reaching out to your legislator today, using the information and link below! Our youth cannot afford to be a budget cut...they deserve so much more!

05/30/2026

We have more class dates available! These free classes are now offered with both weekday and weekend classes. They are available to anyone who is interested - not just those within our program. Classes will be hosted in-person at our Jackson Office, or a virtual option for those who are interested.

Sign-up is necessary and available online at www.dochas.org/classes

If you are in one of our other service counties and are interested in bringing these classes in-person you can reach out to our program director - Emily Oxbrough - either through our contact page online or calling our help line and navigating to her number.

05/11/2026

A youth we are working with in Hillsdale is moving into his own apartment tomorrow! He is in need of a queen-sized bed or mattress. If you have one to donate, or know where we could get one, please let us know! 517-788-4605, or [email protected].

04/27/2026

We are excited to announce the official launch of our Life Skills Classes. Created for youth/young adults who are entering the "real world" classes will focus on a number of different life skills, including budgeting, taxes, time management, getting and maintaining a home and vehicle, and more.

Starting May 16th and running until June 13th, we will be hosting a class each Saturday. There are a total of 4 class options, Three 1-hour long sessions, or a 3-hour long Master class. These classes are offered In-person at our Jackson office, or a virtual option for those where transportation might be an issue.

Sign-up is necessary and available online at www.dochas.org/classes

If you are in one of our other service counties and are interested in bringing these classes in-person you can reach out to our program director - Emily Oxbrough - either through our contact page online or calling our help line and navigating to her number.