Street Outreach for Homeless Youth

Young, Homeless, and Slipping Through the Cracks

When you pass a teenager sitting on the street or even standing in front of a store they may need help but as citizens it’s hard to get involved. You simply don’t know the situation so we pass them by. They may be running away from an abusive home, have been kicked out due to sexual orientation, have substance abuse in the home – there could be multiple reasons.

Street Outreach is our most active program because these youth often need help daily. That’s why nonprofit organizations like SMART Choices Texas exist. We get involved and resolve the issues by taking these homeless youth off the street and providing them with the necessary tools they need to survive, get healthy, and become successful adults.

Why Is Street Outreach Important?

Runaway and homeless youth have higher rates of involvement with the juvenile justice system including higher rates of misdemeanor charges and gang affiliation – Dept. of Justice U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.youth.gov. These youth are just trying to survive but without a clear destination. Our case management program not only creates a path to stability for the youth – it also helps to reduce crime within communities.

How We Help

Street Outreach is a street-based program offering crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and prevention services. Counselors work to help homeless, runaway or couch-surfing teens find a safe and stable home. We go on the streets and provide homeless youth with food, water, clean clothing, shoes, blankets, hygiene products and transportation to a homeless shelter.

After being enrolled in our program the transformation begins. Our clients are given professional counseling, educational support, life-skills training, employment opportunities, and stable housing. One of our major goals is to reunite our clients with their families.