Every night in King County, more than 1,500 young people are uncertain where they'll be able to sleep. As many housing resources and organizations have turned their attention to other homeless populations, young people on the streets have found fewer and fewer resources available to address their specific needs. The causes of homelessness among Seattle’s young adults are multifaceted. Forty percent of the homeless young adult population have aged out of the foster care system, while around 40% in Seattle identify as LGBTQ+ and have experienced relational disconnection as a result. Some are fleeing abusive situations and have nowhere to turn but the streets. Simply put, one of the main causes of youth homelessness is disconnection. We seek to be a place of reconnection for those who've been separated from positive relationships and opportunity. Through our Drop-In Center, we offer services to meet young people's basic needs, like hot meals, showers, clothing, laundry service, and more. No one can dream of a better future on an empty stomach. No one can think about job applications when they're worried about where they'll sleep that night. By having a place to get basic needs met, and experience the concrete support of case management, young people are able to find the safety, stability, and resources to begin processing what their next move should be. Meeting these basic needs provides the privilege and opportunity to develop positive relationships. New Horizons offers job training opportunities through our apprenticeship program that offers job training skills like barista training through our partners at Street Bean Coffee. Apprentices learn real-world job experience and the opportunity to develop the soft skills necessary for future employment. New Horizons operates a 30-bed, low-barrier shelter, called The Nest, providing safety and stability each night. In 2022, New Horizons transitioned all beds into private rooms to honor our young clients as individuals who have experienced trauma. We recognize that each of these young people are empowered with tremendous persistence, resilience, and grit, endowed with unique gifts and creative talents, and through healthy, mentoring relationships and case management services, we assure them of their dignity and support their journey into sustainable independence. By setting expectations and following up with each individual, we support responsibility and accountability, and help these young people discover that they are strong and capable of achieving their dreams.
