Inclusion of educational component

As a group we decided that helping teens in our community would be more meaningful to
us because we are teens ourselves. In 2018 Oregon ranked first in the nation for homeless youth
according to OPB. That really says something, that in our own community young teen are
suffering out on the streets, which probably means they are lacking necessities such as everyday
essentials we take for granted. ​The nation’s economic crisis has deeply affected the lives of
millions of Americans. Skyrocketing foreclosures and job layoffs have pulled the rug out from
under many families, particularly those living in low-income communities. Deepening ​poverty​ is
inextricably linked with rising levels of homelessness and food insecurity/hunger for many
Americans and children are particularly affected by these conditions. In order to understand why
this happens, one needs to understand the causes of homelessness among youth. According to an
article on ncsl.org it defines the main reasons for homelessness among youth being, “Homeless
youth sometimes referred to as "unaccompanied youth," are individuals who lack parental, foster
or institutional care.” The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that on any given night there
are approximately 1.3 million homeless youth living unsupervised on the streets, in abandoned
buildings, with friends or with strangers. Homeless youth are at a higher risk for physical abuse,
sexual exploitation, mental health disabilities, substance abuse, and death. It is estimated that
5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, illness, or suicide. To end their
homelessness, youth and young adults need stable housing, supportive connections to caring
adults, and access to mainstream services that will place them on a path to long-term success.
Reunifying youth with family or a support system, when safe and appropriate, should be at the
core of any approach. Young adults may also require broader education and employment
supports, and may need more low-barrier short- and long-term housing options, including rapid
re-housing.

Homeless people suffer from disproportionately high rates of polysubstance abuse,

mental illness, physical health problems and legal issues/barriers in attaining employment. Lack
of health insurance and the multiple exigencies of the homeless condition inhibit many homeless
persons from receiving care.​ ​One essential approach to reducing homelessness is to prevent it.
Another is to ensure that formerly homeless families and individuals can maintain housing
stability. There are several programs that have been proven successful in preventing
homelessness for low-income families and individuals. Providing permanent supportive housing
to the homeless community saves the taxpayer money. Healthcare costs are reduced by 59%
Emergency department costs are decreased by 61% The number of general inpatient
hospitalizations is decreased by 77%.