Why Is Street Outreach for our Youth so important?

Reaching these Youth BEFORE a traumatic event or crime occurs outside of the home is critical. Running away from home drastically increases the chances of being sex-trafficked, assaulted, and/or traumatized. Homeless Youth also 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.

Street Outreach is our most active program because these youth often need help daily. That’s why nonprofit organizations like Smart Choices Texas exists. 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.

Young, Homeless, and Lost

Many of the youth we assist are students identified by the school administration and churches as being unsheltered. We’re then able to contact parents/guardian, speak with the student, and formulate a plan of support. 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.

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 receive referrals from schools and churches. 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.

Together we can change our youth's future

How You Can Help

Smart Choices Texas is always in need of the following items for our Street Outreach program. If you’re interested in making a donation or starting a collection, please call (214) 526-3600 or email donations@smartchoicestx.org.

Non-perishable food: Granola bars, cheese crackers, bottled water & Etc.
Deodorant
Toothpaste & toothbrushes
Wash cloths
Body wash / Lotion
Shampoo / Conditioner / Haircare
Baby wipes
Feminine hygiene products
Disposable razors
Chapstick
Hand sanitizer
Youth clothing
Underwear, bras, & socks
Youth shoes

Sealed Multi-Vitamins
First aid kits
Backpacks
Toilet / Facial tissue
Zip lock bags
Lysol/disinfectant wipes
Flash lights w/batteries
Laundry detergent
Blankets
Grocery / Restaurant Gift cards
BPA-free Water bottles
Sharpie markers
Masking tape
Tablets or Kindles
Notebooks / Pens / Pencils

Change the direction. Save a life.

Replenishing the inventory for our Street Outreach program is a major task because our team is consistently reaches new unhoused youth who need resources. If you’re interested in making a in-kind product donation, please email donations@smartchoicestx.org.

Donate items from our Amazon Wish List
Start a food donation drive
Shop at our store
Volunteer with us
Ask your employer to match your contribution
Select Smart Choices Texas as you "Charity of Choice" when you shop at Kroger or Albertsons. It's FREE. Click here for instructions.