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Services for Homeless Youth
Catholic Charities Services for Homeless Youth
Catholic Charities Services for Homeless Youth Programs are designed to assist youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Independent Living Skills (ILS) Counselors provide case management to assist the youth in developing a successful independent living plan for self-sufficiency, teach life skills, connect them to resources and assist them in finding and maintaining appropriate housing, as well as developing positive connections with resources.
No referral needed, youth can self-refer.
Catholic Charities is a Coordinated Entry List Access Point For Youth in Central Minnesota
If you are under 25 and experiencing homelessness please contact our Outreach Worker at 320-250-2306.
Common Assessment
Information from the assessment is placed in the Coordinated Entry System database. When local organizations have program openings, they often ask CES staff to look in the database for clients who might be a good match for their services. Although the assessment is not an emergency solution, it allows you to be considered for many program openings.
Street Outreach Program
Many homeless youth find out about Catholic Charities Services for Homeless Youth Programs through our Street Outreach Worker.
The Street Outreach Program provides:
- mobile case management
- education connections
- community resources
- referrals where appropriate
Our Street Outreach Worker seeks out homeless youth throughout the Greater St. Cloud area and meets with them out in the community where they’re at, which can be homeless shelters, drop-in centers, libraries, parks etc.
SHY Program
Supportive Housing for Youth
Catholic Charities SHY Program is a scattered site housing model that offers supportive housing services and independent living skills through one-to-one case management for up to 24 months for youth ages 16 through 24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Youth learn independence as well as basic life skills. Youth are assisted in finding and maintaining permanent housing, finding employment, completing education, obtaining their vital documents, obtaining health insurance as well as connections to local resources. There is also financial assistance provided to help with some apartment move in costs or past due rent, as funding allows.
Can I get help?
If you are experiencing homelessness, in danger of becoming homeless, in crisis where you are currently living, or exiting foster care, you may be eligible to participate in SHY. You must be 16 to 24 years old, motivated, and from any of the following counties: Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd and Wright.
Tracking Progress
A variety of measuring tools are used to gauge a clients’ progress:
- Independent Living Plan (ILP) is created with the youth and assessed and updated monthly.
- Assessment on Lifeskills
- An exit survey
- Follow-up surveys
Assessment on Lifeskills is given when the young person enrolls in the program, and again as they exit. The assessment helps determine the young person’s level of independence and self-sufficiency. An Exit Survey is also given upon completion of the program; it uncovers the client's level of satisfaction with SHY’s services. Follow-up Surveys are sent to young people six months after they leave program, and again after one year. These survey provide important client feedback, such as:
- The degree to which the youth's housing situation has stabilized
- The degree to which his/her educational/training level has improved
- The degree to which employment has stabilized and / or improved for him/her
- The degree to which the youth has increased his / her connection to the community
Mentors
Each young person is paired with an Independent Living Skills Counselor who acts as their Case Manager. The pair can be in touch as much as daily, and meet in person as often as needed—usually weekly. Together, the pair develop goals and plans for the young person to successfully live on their own.
Referral and Admission
Referral is not required for admission to the SHY program. Any youth who is homeless or near-homeless may request assistance. For information on the program, please contact our Homeless Outreach Worker at (320) 250-2306.
Contact Services for Homeless Youth
Catholic Charities Services for Homeless Youth
Program Main Line: (320) 229-6035
Program Fax: (320)-229-6039
Program Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Homeless Youth Outreach Worker:
Phone (320) 250-2306
Outreach Worker Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Location
157 Roosevelt Road
Suite 200
St. Cloud, MN 56301
