At The Youth Connection, our mission is to provide a safe space for young people facing drug abuse, homelessness, violence, and poverty. We aim to transform the lives of youth and young adults (YYA)—whether they are homeless, street-involved, or at-risk—through a strategic continuum of services. Our goal is to meet their basic needs and guide them compassionately towards lives of dignity, integrity, and responsibility.

2023 Highlights

In 2023, our commitment to improving lives and creating opportunities for at-risk and homeless youth remained steadfast. This report highlights our key activities and achievements over the past year.

Monthly Drop-in Center Attendance

• January 2023: 197 individuals

• February 2023: 112 individuals

• March 2023: 143 individuals

• April 2023: 140 individuals

• May 2023: 139 individuals

• June 2023: 132 individuals

• July 2023: 144 individuals

• August 2023: 147 individuals

• September 2023: 117 individuals

• October 2023: 140 individuals

• November 2023: 139 individuals

Meals and Clothing Closet

We serve lunch from Monday to Saturday, averaging 6 or more plates per day. Over the year, we provided approximately:

• 1,872 meals

Our clothing and hygiene closet, accessed by an average of 3 individuals daily, ensures that high-quality items are distributed. This resulted in:

• 936 visits to the clothing closet

Food Bag Distribution

We distribute food bags to those in need, thanks to donations from individuals and community partners:

• Homeless Food Bags: 256 distributed

• Housed Food Bags: 156 distributed

Demographics

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is evident in the population we serve and within our team. In 2023:

• 59% identified as White

• 1.5% as Black

• 7.79% as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous

• 28.75% as multiracial, including Hispanic individuals

Housing Support

In 2023, we successfully discharged:

• 98 individuals to permanent housing

We also prevented 29 households from becoming unhoused through our Eviction Prevention program.

Looking Ahead to 2024

We are thrilled to report a near tripling in the number of youth accessing our center. This increase reflects our growing impact and the expanding need for our services.

Conclusion

In 2023, we made a significant impact through our drop-in center, offsite shelter housing programs, intensive case management, and outreach services. We are proud of our achievements and remain dedicated to expanding our services to meet evolving needs. Upcoming improvements include a building remodel adding showers, laundry access, and employment support through the Coffee Cafe and transitional housing units.

Thank You

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of the youth and families we serve.