Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) has received a $600,000 multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support HYC’s Empowering Youth For The Future (EYFTF) program, with $100,000 of the grant being allocated to enhance and expand a multi-purpose space for in-kind donations, volunteer work and staff functions. Construction will begin later this year on our Sunnyslope facility.

Nationally, of youth experiencing homelessness, 87% are more likely to drop out of school than their stably housed peers. These students are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing poverty, unemployment, chronic homelessness, and poor health. One of HYC’s top preventative measures, the EYFTF program, works to intervene before homeless youth drop out by providing assistance with academics, health, housing, hygiene, employment and independent living to enable success.

“Youth facing homelessness are incredibly vulnerable and have an uphill battle without the right support,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Homeless Youth Connection helps ensure that, despite a rough start, these kids can still have a shot at a bright and promising future.”

The EYFTF program aims to provide meaningful resources that encourage young people to finish high school and plan for post-secondary education. Each youth is paired with a youth coach to identify their strengths and goals and establish a personalized action plan to attain those goals. They connect weekly, both virtually and in person to discuss their progress. Through this authentic engagement, youth develop a sense of safety, structure, belonging, self-worth and social contribution.

“This year, we had 123 individuals graduate and 15 seniors continuing their education with summer school or an additional senior semester,” said Dana Bailey, co-chief executive officer, HYC. “These youth have worked so hard to complete high school and create a more stable future for themselves. We’re so proud of their hard work and couldn’t do it without support from organizations like The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.”

An integral part of the program is HYC’s strong relationships with host families to provide stable housing, food, transportation and all-around, at-home care and support throughout the youth’s academic journey. This allows each HYC youth to build stronger relationships and interpersonal skills, experience stability in their home life and learn positive life skills that lead to full independence.

“Homeless Youth Connection goes beyond meeting the basic needs of the young people they serve by addressing them holistically and setting a course toward achieving their dreams. Everyone deserves hope for a brighter future, and HYC helps young people experiencing homelessness maintain that hope as they overcome great adversity,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

During the 2023-2024 school year, HYC served more than 600 youth in Maricopa County and 21 youth in Coconino County. HYC provides academic support and housing, along with employment, career development and financial literacy services.

The recent grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will support our growth and ensure HYC has resources to help youth experiencing homelessness complete their education and have a chance at a healthy, successful future.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation sees the value in HYC’s vision and understands the urgent needs of our community. They’re not just providing funds, they’re investing in the future of our youth and entrusting us to guide them toward a sustainable future. We thank you!

About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation’s giving is driven by the core belief that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity—deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.

In June we celebrate Pride Month, but at HYC we think about our LGBTQ+ youth throughout the entire year. A significant number of the youth we serve identify as LGBTQ+, and we strive to provide appropriate resources and support to best empower these youth. We provide individualized case management and planning for the future, and we recognize that these youth have unique challenges that are not experienced by our straight and cisgender students.

LGBTQ+ youth are at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness and are twice as likely to report experiencing homelessness than non-LGBTQ+ students.^[1] These youth are sometimes more vulnerable than other youth experiencing homelessness and are forced to conceal that side of their entity in order to preserve their safety. As one youth explained, “Wherever I stayed and whoever I stayed with, regardless of their intent, if they learned about my sexuality, it still put me in the vulnerable position of unstable and inconsistent housing; and when I was already vulnerable, I felt like I needed to obscure that side of me as a means of exercising control in my life over the one thing I had authority: the story that I presented to others.”^[2]

Aspects of a youth’s queer identity can compound on their homeless experience and create emergent struggles that are unique to gender and sexual minorities. These additional struggles can make it even more difficult to access services and seek support. These youth can be denied access to transitional housing if they disclose their sexual identity and can suffer higher rates of violence and abuse than their straight and cisgender homeless peers. LGBTQ+ homeless youth were twice as likely to report missing school in the last 30 days due to feeling unsafe, and twice as likely to report being threatened or injured with a weapon at school in the last year.^[3]

At HYC we are committed to providing equitable support and access to all of our students. We collaborate with our nonprofit partners and school districts to provide early intervention to mitigate the increased risks and challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth who are experiencing homelessness in our communities.

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^[1] “Are Homeless High Schoolers Safe At School?” Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness. December 6, 2018. https://www.icphusa.org/maps_infographics/are-homeless-high-schoolers-safe-at-school/

^[2] “Youth Homelessness & Queer Identity: There is No Single Story.” SchoolHouse Connection. June 22, 2021. https://schoolhouseconnection.org/youth-homelessness-queer-identity-there-is-no-single-story/

^[3] “Are Homeless High Schoolers Safe At School?” Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness. December 6, 2018. https://www.icphusa.org/maps_infographics/are-homeless-high-schoolers-safe-at-school/

High school graduation is a large milestone for young Americans, and one that opens many doors to various opportunities, like attending college or a trade school, joining the military, or entering the workforce. Nationally, 87% of homeless youth drop out of high school and do not earn their diploma. Without their diploma, these youth face tremendous challenges obtaining gainful employment that pays a living wage and provides access to health insurance and benefits. This barrier to higher pay and benefits can lead many youth experiencing homeless to experience chronic homelessness – regularly lacking a safe, stable, and secured housing situation.

Even students with stable housing may experience difficulty completing their coursework and passing classes. What makes it more difficult for homeless youth to complete their high school education and graduate? Youth experiencing homelessness sleep less than their housed peers, with 33% indicating that they slept fewer than 4 hours each night on average.^[1] These youth are also twice as likely to not eat breakfast before attending school. Fatigue and hunger greatly affect the ability to focus, causing many students to struggle in their classes.

In addition to academic rigor, youth experiencing homelessness may struggle to attend school regularly. Transportation to and from school can be difficult for youth experiencing homelessness, especially as some move among friends’ houses or relocate outside of their school district. While the McKinney-Vento Act requires that schools provide transportation to youth experiencing homelessness, this is only for the academic day, and not for before or after school tutoring or activities. Youth experiencing homelessness may not be able to access tutoring or academic support needed to understand classroom material. Without the support they need, these students can fall behind in classes and fail to meet the requirements for graduation. These youth may feel they are unable to get the support necessary to succeed in class. This discouragement can cause students to further fall behind or drop out of school entirely.

Youth experiencing homelessness want to graduate high school, but sometimes financial instability and extreme poverty force these students out of school. Homeless youth may need to work a job in order to support their family or younger siblings in the absence of a parent or guardian (whether ill, imprisoned, or otherwise unable to work). Without money for food, rent, or electricity, some youth experiencing homelessness drop out of school in order to provide financially for their families. When making the decision between surviving or graduating high school, the choice is clear, and many youth feel that they have no other options.

During the pandemic, many of these obstacles were exacerbated. Especially as students with unstable housing began virtual learning, lack of internet access or equipment further complicated goals to complete their studies. In Maricopa County, many schools were fully remote for an entire year, making their public education inaccessible for many youth experiencing homelessness.

In the face of overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable challenges, HYC proudly celebrated more than 50 of our seniors who graduated high school in 2021. HYC is proud of its 90% graduation rate among HYC youth, a drastic difference from the less than 25% of homeless youth nationally who complete their high school education. This journey to high school graduation was not easy for many of our homeless youth, and in the face of extreme adversity, our youth have persevered and overcome the unimaginable. HYC is committed to providing extensive and comprehensive services for youth experiencing homeless so that they can complete their graduation and pursue the future they envision for themselves. Through individualized case management and planning for the future, meeting basic needs, transportation support, and more, HYC empowers youth to earn their diplomas and pursue a future without chronic homelessness.

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^[1] “No Longer Hidden: The Health and Well-Being of Homeless High School Students.” Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness. October 31, 2019. https://www.icphusa.org/maps_infographics/no-longer-hidden-infographic/

Since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, more than 1,000 volunteer hours have been donated by 250+ volunteers at HYC. It is because of our volunteers, who share their generous hearts, believe in our mission, and give their time, that HYC youth can focus on education and stay in school.

April 17-23 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week this year, and HYC is eager to share our gratitude with the hundreds of volunteers who have been part of our mission. HYC provides essential services to upwards of 600 youth every year, with a small staff of fewer than 20 professionals. Volunteers are critical in providing support so that urgently needed hygiene items and food kits are available for our youth, students have transportation to doctor’s appointments, and HYC resource closets across the Valley are stocked for convenient and quick access for youth experiencing homelessness. Volunteers’ time, energy, and compassion toward our youth has helped hundreds of youth experiencing homelessness receive the support they need to stay in school, graduate, and have a chance at a successful future.

Volunteering within the community does a lot of good. When you volunteer your time and efforts, you start a chain of positive events that start when you decide to help out, until long after you’ve done your part.

Why volunteer at HYC? Here are three reasons to sign up today to join our volunteer team:

1. Be a part of the solution to youth homelessness. Volunteers are crucial in connecting youth experiencing homelessness with the essential items they need to stay healthy and focus on school.
2. Meet new people and be part of a community. Dozens of community members volunteer at HYC. Join HYC at a volunteer event, and chances are you’ll meet other like-minded folks interested in making a difference.
3. Gain a sense of accomplishment and boost your happiness. Research shows that volunteers feel more fulfilled, accomplished, and happier after connecting and serving a purposeful role in their community.[1]

There are many other benefits of volunteering, like learning new skills, networking, and gaining experience for professional or personal goals!

Volunteer support makes a tremendous impact on the resources available for HYC youth. Interested in getting involved? Complete our volunteer application at https://bit.ly/hycvols to get added to our email list or check out our calendar of upcoming events at https://hycaz.org/event/. The staff and youth at HYC sincerely thank all of our volunteers for their commitment to serve and making our community a better, safer, and healthier place for youth experiencing homelessness.

[1]Lawton, R.N., Gramatki, I., Watt, W. et al. Does Volunteering Make Us Happier, or Are Happier People More Likely to Volunteer? Addressing the Problem of Reverse Causality When Estimating the Wellbeing Impacts of Volunteering. J Happiness Stud 22, 599–624 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00242-8

Maintaining good health can be difficult under stressful circumstances. Some of the most stressful situations can stem from housing instability and challenges that arise due to the lack of a stable and secure home. Research from the Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness indicates just how drastically these circumstances affect the health of high schoolers, comparing homeless teens with their housed peers. This study demonstrates that youth who experience homelessness have unequivocally worse health outcomes than housed youth.^[1] These health outcomes directly threaten the lives of these youth and impede their ability to complete their education and transition to a stable future without chronic homelessness.

Some of the most dire findings from this study include:

• More than 40% of homeless teens struggle with depression, a rate 12 percentage points higher than their housed peers (29%).Homeless teens consider suicide more often and are three times more likely to attempt suicide than housed teens (20% versus 6%).
• Nearly one in four homeless teens has been forced into unwanted sexual activity by someone they are dating, three times higher than the rate for housed teens (23% versus 8%).
• Homeless teens are three times more likely than their housed peers to have been deliberately hurt by someone they are dating (25% versus 8%).
• Homeless high school students are more than twice as likely than their housed peers to go to school hungry. In the past seven days, 33% of homeless students did not have breakfast compared to just 14% of housed students.^[2]

This data includes youth who are staying with others temporarily, doubled up, in long-stay motels, and in homeless shelters. This illustrates that youth experiencing different types of homelessness are all greatly affected and susceptible to poorer health outcomes than that of their housed peers.

Agencies and services like HYC are critical to identifying these youth and providing them with the support they need to prevent these health outcomes from coming to fruition. HYC’s personalized approach, trauma-informed philosophy, and evidence-based methods help to meet youth experiencing homelessness where they are at and provide any assistance needed to help them secure a successful, safe, and stable present and future.

^[1] “New Report on the Health and Well-being of Homeless Teens.” SchoolHouse Connection. March 13, 2017. https://schoolhouseconnection.org/new-report-on-the-health-and-well-being-of-homeless-teens/

^[2] “More Than a Place to Sleep: Understanding the Health and Well-Being of Homeless High School Students.” Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness. March 13, 2017. https://www.icphusa.org/reports/homelessstudenthealth/#policy-considerations

Homelessness can take many forms. A 17-year-old is staying on the couch at a friend’s house after being kicked out. A family is doubled up with a neighbor after being evicted. A mom and her two children are staying in transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence. A family of six is staying in a long stay motel because they had no other options. While each is different, they are all forms of homelessness experienced by youth in Arizona and in other communities across the nation.

A recent article from NPR addresses the difficulty in capturing an accurate count of people experiencing homelessness in any given area. While individuals and families staying in transitional housing and shelters can be visible and easier to count, understanding the number of people who are experiencing other forms of homelessness can be a challenge. Couch surfing, doubling up, and staying in long-stay motels are forms of hidden homelessness. People experiencing hidden homelessness are not counted in government counts, because gathering that information is extremely difficult. Not including these people in counts make it harder to provide appropriate support.

Barbara Duffield, the executive director of SchoolHouse Connection, explains, “Most families and youth that are homeless aren’t in shelters, they are not on the streets, they’re going from place to place. Identifying is so important because if we don’t know who is experiencing homelessness, then we can’t make sure they have the resources they need.”[1]

Identifying people experiencing homelessness can be even more difficult due to differing definitions of homelessness used across the US government. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a narrow definition of homelessness, indicating that only people living in shelters, transitional housing, or on the streets are considered homeless and qualify for services. The Department of Education, alternatively, utilizes the McKinney-Vento Act to form its definition, which includes all forms indicated by HUD, but also youth who are doubled up or couch surfing. These different definitions can mean an individual experiencing homelessness is eligible for services from one government agency but not another, and may not be considered homeless in government counts.

Without an accurate count of the youth, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness, it is difficult to connect them with the necessary support and resources they need to stabilize and lead healthy, productive lives.

HYC’s partnership with schools to identify youth uniquely positions us to work with youth experiencing hidden homelessness. While government counts may only measure individuals in transitional housing programs or on the street, HYC is equipped to support all youth experiencing homelessness wanting to attend school in our community.  HYC works with youth who are couch surfing, doubled up, in long stay motels, and at transitional housing struggling to attend school. Learn more about the youth we serve here.

Interested in learning more about the challenges facing agencies and experts to collect accurate information on homelessness? Check out NPR’s full article here.

[1] Beiner, Camila. “Homeless Youth and Children Are Wildly Undercounted, Advocates Say.” NPR, 15 Feb. 2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/02/15/1073791409/homeless-youth-and-children-are-wildly-undercounted-advocates-say

If you’re an Arizonan,  you’ve probably heard of Arizona Gives Day. Each year, Arizona Gives facilitates a 24-hour online donation drive for nonprofit organizations, and has helped raise more than $30 million since 2013. A partnership between the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers, Arizona Gives aims to support local nonprofits so they can continue impacting communities across the state. They strive to connect Arizonans  with nonprofits to make the state stronger and create a thriving community for all residents. All nonprofits, large and small, are invited to participate in Arizona Gives Day.

In 2022, Arizona Gives Day begins at noon on April 5 and ends 24 hours later, at noon on April 6. All donations made during that 24-hour window, and during early giving starting March 15, count toward each nonprofit’s fundraising total. Arizona Gives, through its sponsors, awards additional financial support to nonprofits who successfully participate in bonus incentives to raise set dollar amounts at certain times of day or to have the largest number of donors participate in a designed time frame. Homeless Youth Connection is participating in Arizona Gives Day, along with more than 1,000 other Arizona nonprofits.

Why donate to HYC on Arizona Gives Day?

Funds raised for HYC on Arizona Gives Day, and throughout the year, go directly to support services for youth experiencing homelessness throughout Maricopa County and the City of Flagstaff. Recent reports count more than 7,500 homeless youth in Arizona, with more than 1,800 of these youth unaccompanied. Homeless youth are 87% more likely to drop out of school, and without a high school diploma, career and educational opportunities are severely limited. HYC removes barriers created by homelessness, such as challenges related to housing, transportation, accessing healthcare, virtual learning, and more. HYC ensures that youth experiencing homelessness can thrive, just like their housed peers. Donor dollars support case management for homeless youth, the Host Family Housing program for unaccompanied teens, essential items like food and hygiene products, establishing each youth’s plan for their future,  and much more. Individual donations help HYC eliminate barriers, create lasting solutions, and empower youth experiencing homelessness to stay in school and graduate.

Make an impact and support youth experiencing homelessness this year by donating on Arizona Gives Day at: https://www.azgives.org/hycaz.

Did you know? Tax Day 2022 is April 18^th. If you haven’t made your Arizona Charitable Tax Credit contribution yet, donating through the Arizona Gives Day campaign is another way to get your dollar-for-dollar state tax credit reduction.  Anyone who pays Arizona state taxes may be eligible for the tax credit when donating to Homeless Youth Connection. HYC’s code is 20200. Learn more here.

The COVID-19 pandemic sent Americans and others around the world into lockdown and changed the way many of us work, spend time with family, and live of our lives. While these changes were hard for all of us, youth without stable housing were among the hardest hit during the pandemic. Although many of the long-term effects of lockdowns and virtual schooling won’t be known for years to come, recent data indicates the tremendous struggles facing young people nationwide and in Arizona.

Young adults across the U.S. reported high levels of housing and food insecurity during the pandemic:

1. About 3.8 million had little to no confidence in their (or their household’s) ability to pay the next month’s rent.
   • Among respondents in single adult renting households, Hispanic young adults were about twice as likely, and Black young adults almost three times as likely, as White young adults to have little or no confidence in their ability to pay next month’s rent.
2. About 4.9 million young adults have had too little to eat at a given time during the pandemic.
   • Black young adults reported food insecurity at about twice the rate of their White peers.
3. More than half (54%) of young adults reported symptoms indicative of anxiety or depression during the pandemic. [1]

The hardships that accompany housing and food insecurity led to a drastic drop in enrollment among youth experiencing homelessness. Without a stable place to live, youth had increased difficulty accessing online learning (especially if they lacked a computer or Wi-Fi). The Arizona Department of Education reported enrollment of homeless youth decreased by approximately 35% in the 2020-2021 school year. This decreased enrollment is projected to greatly affect graduation rates for youth experiencing homelessness.

According to recent data from Great Public Schools Now, graduation rates are already falling due to the pandemic. If high school students are not supported to catch up quickly, 43% of the class of 2022, 37% of the class of 2023, and 30% of the class of 2024 will not graduate. This study indicates that over the next four years, tens of thousands of youth are at risk and could potentially not earn their high school diploma. This widespread learning loss disproportionately impacts Black, Latino, low-income students, English learners, students with disabilities, foster youth, and students experiencing homelessness.[2]

This data appears alongside many other recent reports indicating the extreme negative effects the pandemic had on youth experiencing homelessness. In response to these concerning reports, HYC is responding to better support youth experiencing homelessness to stay on track and graduate. In 2021, HYC launched an outreach initiative intended to identify and engage homeless youth who had dropped out of school. HYC youth coaches have worked tirelessly to locate missing youth throughout the Valley, connecting them with needed resources and helping them reenroll in school. As of May 1, 2021, HYC confirmed that 75% of these youth were in safe and stable housing, enrolled in high school, or were reconnected with HYC staff to receive services. Although schools are open for in-person learning and shifting toward recovery from the pandemic, HYC plans to continue applying these expanded and enhanced outreach strategies to best support youth experiencing homelessness affected by the pandemic.

[1] Morton, M. & Daniels, G. (2021). Untold stories: Young adult & racial dimensions of COVID-19. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

[2] Great Public Schools Now. Educational Recovery Now. Great Public Schools Now, 29 Mar. 2021, https://greatpublicschoolsnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EdRecoveryNow_Final_3-29-21.pdf.

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month was established in 2007 to increase understanding around the growing youth homelessness crisis seen nationwide. At HYC, we work year-round to implement early intervention for youth experiencing homelessness and end chronic homelessness. At HYC, nearly 30% of youth are unaccompanied. This means they are on their own, homeless without a guardian or parent to help care for them.

What causes homelessness among unaccompanied youth? Why would a teenager experience homelessness when their family is stably housed? Commonly, the youth is kicked out.

• The youth is kicked out for coming out as LGBTQ.
• The youth is kicked out once they turn 18. Some parents believe their parental obligation is finished once their child becomes a legal adult at 18. Even if the student is still in high school, the parent views the child as no longer their responsibility.
• The youth is kicked out if a divorced parent finds a new spouse who does not like the youth.
• The youth is forced to leave after abuse, neglect, or other unsafe circumstances in the home.
• The youth is in foster care, but once they turn 18, they are no longer supported by the program.

Unaccompanied youth will do whatever they must in order to find a roof over their head. Couch surfing (learn more about that here [link to other blog post]) is the most common form of homelessness among unaccompanied teens. HYC provides a Host Family Housing Program, which offers safe and stable housing for unaccompanied youth. Generous community members warmly open their hearts and homes to house a student for the academic year. Unaccompanied youth in the Host Family Housing Program develop healthy and positive relationships with their host family, and more than 90% graduate high school and exit to safe and stable housing after finishing the program. Interested in getting involved and becoming part of the solution? Email HYC at info@hycaz.org or call 623-374-3747 to learn more.

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month is recognized every November in the US to raise awareness for children and teens in our own communities who are struggling with housing instability. Especially among youth, homelessness can be difficult to see. According to the McKinney-Vento Act, a homeless individual lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This can take many different forms for youth.

Here are some forms of homelessness that HYC sees among its youth:

1. Living in a long stay hotel or motel
2. Living in a shelter/transitional housing program
3. Sharing housing with another family due to loss of housing because of financial hardship
4. Living in a campsite, parked car, or public facility
5. Living with another person due to the death or incarceration of a parent
6. Living as a youth on their own due to neglect, abuse, or being kicked out

“Couch surfing” is a form of homelessness that is very common among unaccompanied youth (youth on their own). After being kicked out or forced to leave the home, youth will ask a friend or neighbor if they can stay with them for a little while. The youth stays on the couch or in a spare bedroom until they are asked to find another place to stay. Many youth move from house to house, only staying for a couple days to a few weeks at each residence. Some youth are forced to barter sex or free labor in exchange for a place to sleep.

HYC addresses housing needs for unaccompanied youth by offering a Host Family Housing Program by partnering with community members. By offering a spare bedroom or loft to one of HYC’s students, the host family offers a safe, stable, and healthy living environment for an unaccompanied youth. Interested in becoming part of the solution and learning more about our Host Family Housing Program? Send us an email at info@hycaz.org or call us at 623-374-3747 to find out how to get involved.

HYC partners closely with more than 120 schools in Maricopa County and the City of Flagstaff to identify youth experiencing any form of homelessness and connect them with needed services so they can live healthy, stable lives.