Homeless Youth Alliance (HYA) will close our Drop-In Centers doors at the end of Christmas Day. Stop the closing of HYA, and the reduction of essential services to keep homeless youth in San Francisco safe.
Why is this important?
Everyday between 50-150 youth visit our drop-in center. Inside they receive food, clothing, hygiene, safer sex and harm reduction supplies. They can take a shower and use a bathroom. They can meet with a therapist, psychiatrist and medical provider and get their needs met. They can for a moment breathe, relax, feel safe and be treated without judgment and with the respect and dignity every person deserves.
Mary Howe, Executive Director is a formerly homeless youth who has dedicated her career to developing and implementing interventions that empower young people to improve their own lives and those of their peers, and to addressing the structural causes of poverty and homelessness and to move beyond the streets.
Howe said Homeless Youth Alliance is committed to helping homeless youth in the Upper Haight past the December 25 closure. The agency is looking for a van so it can provide services on a mobile basis and is hoping to find a new space in the Upper Haight. Services for improving the lives of homeless youth are essential and should be made a priority.
Move info can be found at homelessyouthalliance.org
