$600,000 2-Year Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Will Support Youth Experiencing Homelessness
HYC
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.