For many youth, graduating high school and enrolling in college represent the beginning of a new chapter. But for students who have experienced homelessness, the transition to higher education often comes with challenges that extend far beyond the classroom.

A new report from SchoolHouse Connection highlights the challenges college students experiencing homelessness face while trying to earn a degree. The findings show that many students are working hard to build a better future while also struggling to meet basic needs.

According to the report, an estimated 1.5 million college students have experienced homelessness, while more recent surveys suggest that approximately 14% of college students report experiencing homelessness while enrolled. Many are not living in shelters. Instead, they may be moving from couch to couch, staying with friends or relatives, or constantly searching for a safe place to stay. As a result, many students experiencing homelessness go unidentified and unsupported.

The report also found that students experiencing homelessness face higher rates of food insecurity, financial hardship, anxiety, and depression than their peers. Nearly three-quarters reported low or very low food security, and many work long hours while attending school simply to meet their basic needs.

Transportation challenges create additional obstacles. More than one in four students experiencing homelessness reported missing classes because of unreliable transportation. Others struggle to balance employment, caregiving responsibilities, and coursework simultaneously.

What Helps Students Succeed

The report also highlights an important message: student success is possible when the right support is in place. General “basic needs” support programs are not always enough on their own. Because homelessness is often hidden, students may be missed unless colleges and systems intentionally identify and support them.

SchoolHouse Connection outlines several strategies that can make a difference:

• Designating trained staff on campus who can identify students experiencing homelessness
• Making emergency financial assistance more accessible during moments of crisis
• Expanding access to housing during school breaks and emergencies
• Strengthening the transition from high school to college through FAFSA support, coordinated services, and early guidance

Why This Matters for Youth After Graduation

These findings reinforce an important reality: earning a high school diploma is a significant milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. At HYC, many of the youth we serve are preparing for college, workforce training, military service, or employment opportunities after graduation.

While these next steps are exciting, they often come with new questions about housing, transportation, finances, and ongoing support. That is why our work does not end at graduation. Whether helping young people navigate college enrollment, connect to resources, maintain housing stability, or access guidance as they move forward, we know that long-term success requires more than a diploma alone.

At HYC, our mission is to eliminate barriers to education and create lasting solutions for a successful future for youth experiencing homelessness. Without support, the barriers highlighted in the research can quickly become obstacles to staying on track.

We remain committed to walking with youth as they move from graduation into the next chapter of their lives—helping turn moments of achievement into long-term momentum for their future. If you’d like to help young people move from graduation to lasting independence, we invite you to support HYC’s mission.

SchoolHouse Connection is a national nonprofit working to overcome youth and student homelessness through education, policy advocacy, and direct support for young people and families.

You can view the full SchoolHouse Connection report here.

Adan’s story of graduation and finding stability at HYC’s Hatcher Transitional Living program.

Two weeks ago, the Hatcher Transitional Living facility was filled with the sound of celebration—pizza boxes opening, laughter across tables, and youth wearing the kind of smiles that come after something hard-earned and deeply personal: a high school diploma.

Staff, board members, and peers gathered alongside graduates to mark a milestone years in the making. Among them were eight graduates from HYC’s Hatcher Transitional Living Program, part of a larger class of 157 HYC youth who earned their high school diplomas this year.

For many young people, graduation marks the end of high school. For youth who have experienced homelessness, housing instability, family conflict, or time in foster care, it can represent something even more significant: a turning point from simply getting through each day to beginning to imagine what comes next.

For Adan, that turning point came after years of wondering whether graduation would ever be possible. At 21, he earned his high school diploma after navigating years of housing instability and uncertainty.

“I thought I wasn’t going to be walking down that aisle,” Adan said.

Nearly a year ago, Adan arrived at Hatcher feeling quiet, unsure, and carrying more than people could see. He grew up in an unstable household and spent time in DCS care and group homes before aging out. When he tried reconnecting with biological family, he found the environment was still unsafe and more chaotic than before. For a time, he moved between relatives’ and coworkers’ homes. It wasn’t until his final year of high school that he was introduced to HYC.

At that point, he was balancing school, work, and the weight of years spent moving through instability—trying to stay focused on finishing high school while not fully believing graduation would ever happen.

But over time, something began to change.

Through consistent encouragement from supportive adults, guidance from a teacher who stood beside him through both academics and personal challenges, and motivation from his younger brother, Adan kept going.

Graduation became proof of something he had carried quietly for a long time: he was still moving forward, even when it didn’t feel possible.

Today, what stands out most is how Adan shows up for others. He doesn’t call himself a leader, but he has become someone others naturally lean on—welcoming new youth, leading house meetings, and stepping in when situations need calming. Not because it is expected of him, but because he understands what it feels like to be on the other side.

“Maybe it’s because I know what it feels like to be ignored or left behind,” Adan said. “If I can give out love, I will.”

Looking back, he reflects not just on how far he has come, but about the version of himself who first arrived at Hatcher:

“If I could talk to myself walking in that day, I’d say it’s okay to be scared and not know what’s going to happen. It’s okay to lose friends and family, you’ll find people who really care about you and love you, like HYC. Just keep swimming.”

“I’m glad I stayed,” he said of this time at Hatcher. “This place has given me so much.”

And then, quietly, the full weight of his journey landed in a few words:

“I didn’t have hope, and now I do.”

Adan is preparing to attend Phoenix College in the fall, while exploring future career paths, including military service. When asked what he hopes to build for himself over the next year, he paused, closed his eyes, and imagined it: a stable place to call home, continued growth, and travel to places like Japan—places he once only dreamed of seeing.

As Adan steps into what comes next, his story reflects what we see every day at HYC—that with the right support, young people can move from simply getting through each day to beginning to imagine what comes next. Thanks to the support of our community, more youth at HYC are getting that chance.

It’s graduation season. Behind every diploma is a young person
who kept going through uncertainty—and a next step that still needs support.

Your support helps youth like Adan move forward with stability, connection, and hope.

A SENIOR’S STORY OF LOSS AND STARTING OVER

As graduation approaches, Rilee is thinking less about the ceremony, and more about what comes next. For most of his life, stability hasn’t been guaranteed—three different elementary schools, three different high schools, countless moves, and adjusting to new environments. Now, as he prepares to graduate, what he wants most is simple: consistency.

“I’m excited for a new chapter,” he shared, “and just hoping for consistency—no more moving around, which I did a lot throughout my childhood. There was always one more thing going on.”

In 2022, during his eighth-grade year, his life shifted dramatically when his father was incarcerated and his mother passed away. Shorty after, he moved to Tennessee to live with family before eventually returning to Arizona, hoping for a fresh start. But stability remained out of reach, as his father continued to struggle with substance use.

“I started feeling the weight of everything,” he said.

Without consistent parental support, much of his youth required him to grow up quickly and figure things out on his own—often managing school enrollment, transitions, and responsibilities that most youth don’t face alone. At one point, he stepped away from traditional school and completed coursework online while continuing to push forward.

Still, he describes himself as someone who didn’t let circumstances define him.

“I’ve always been a positive person,” he said. “I never let things bring me down. The only thing I worried about was having to take care of everything on my own.”

Through it all, his grandmother became a steady presence. Later, after Rilee’s aunt learned about HYC, she encouraged him to speak with his school counselor, who then connected him with the program.

For the first time in a long time, things felt different.

Rilee said, “It was nice because I could relax and just be a kid instead of feeling like I had to be my own parent.”

Through HYC, along with the support of his family, Rilee experienced something he hadn’t had consistently before: stability and guidance.

“There was constant support to be successful,” he shared. “I didn’t have to worry about everything on my own.”

Having a youth coach meant he had someone walking with him through decisions that once felt entirely on him. One moment that stands out for Rilee was going through the FAFSA process and beginning to think seriously about college. His youth coach helped him break down steps like financial aid and college planning; things he had never had support navigating before.

When asked what his high school experience might have looked like without that support, Rilee didn’t hesitate.

“It would have been a lot more stressful,” he said. “I would’ve had to worry about so much more.”

Now, as graduation approaches, the moment carries both pride and grief.

“I’m glad it’s going to be over,” he said, “but I’m also sad about not having many connections. I’ve only been at this school for one year.”

And beneath that is a deeper loss that still sits with him.

“Being a boy and not having your mom when she was your number one supporter … that’s going to be hard. I have a feeling graduation night, it’s really going to hit me.”

Still, Rilee’s story is not defined by what he’s lost, but by how he has continued forward.

“I didn’t choose the things that happened to me. But I chose to keep going. I chose to stay. I chose to try.”

For Rilee, graduation is not an ending—it is a turning point. A chance to finally build the consistency he has been searching for, and to step into a future shaped by possibility.

Looking ahead, Rilee already has a clear plan for the future. After graduation, he will attend Scottsdale Community College to study hospitality and hotel management, with plans to transfer to Arizona State University and pursue a career in hotel operations.

“I know what I’m doing, and it’s all going to be okay,” he said. “I’m more excited than nervous.”

When reflecting on what he would tell youth facing similar challenges, his message is simple:

“You might think people are going to judge you or expect something in return if they help you, but it’s not like that. You have to let people help you.”

It’s advice shaped by lived experience and by learning that support is something you are allowed to receive.

“Graduation isn’t just a celebration of good grades or completed credits. It’s a celebration of resilience, endurance, and becoming. It’s proof that we are capable of more than we think.”

It’s Graduation Season, your support helps youth like Rilee take their next step forward. 
Support youth graduating today:

At HYC, we understand the words we choose matter. You may notice that we often say, “youth experiencing homelessness” instead of “homeless youth.” This choice is intentional and rooted in both research and the lived experiences of the young people we serve.

Putting Youth First, Not Their Circumstances

When we say, “homeless youth,” it can unintentionally define a young person by one of the most difficult chapters of their life. By contrast, “youth experiencing homelessness” puts the person first, acknowledging that this is a temporary challenge, not their identity.

This small shift reflects a larger truth we see every day at HYC: youth are resilient, capable, and full of potential. Their current circumstances do not define their future.

For many young people, homelessness isn’t always visible. It can look like staying temporarily with friends, moving from place to place, or living in motels—situations that are often unstable, even if they don’t fit common stereotypes. By using ‘experiencing homelessness,’ we make sure all youth, whether visibly on the street or in these hidden circumstances, are identified, counted, and connected to the support they need.

Reducing Stigma, Centering Dignity

We also recognize that the term “homelessness” can carry stigma. That’s why, when we speak with youth directly, we often focus on describing their situation rather than labeling them. In our broader advocacy, we’re intentional about how we speak because language shapes understanding and understanding shapes action. Homelessness is complex. It can be tied to family conflict, economic hardship, mental health challenges, or unsafe environments, not just the lack of a physical home. By using the phrase “experiencing homelessness,” we keep that complexity front and center.

At HYC, we aim to increase awareness, deepen understanding, challenge misconceptions, and advocate more effectively for the youth we serve. Ultimately, we use this language because homelessness is something that happens to youth. It’s a chapter they’re moving through, not the sum of who they are. By choosing thoughtful, people-first language, we keep their dignity and potential at the heart of every conversation. And that’s how we move from awareness to action, together.

Mike and Margaret’s commitment to HYC shows how one couple’s care can transform lives and inspire a community.

Mike and Margaret Hedrick knew that once they retired, they wanted to devote their time to meaningful charity work. After moving to Arizona, they read about Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) in the newspaper and decided to attend a meeting to learn more about the issue of youth homelessness in the Valley. At the time, the organization was still in its infancy. To their surprise, they were the only people in the room that day with Larry Cervarich, HYC’s founder. “We couldn’t believe there were this many homeless youth,” Margaret recalled.

With no grants or funding available in the early days, Cervarich relied on community donations and grassroots fundraising. The Hedricks quickly jumped in to help. When the opportunity for a golf tournament fundraiser came up at Pebble Creek, they took the lead. “We went out to get sponsors and golfers,” Mike said. “It was two months of nonstop work.”

For six years, the Hedricks played a key role in coordinating the tournament, joining with others to raise vital funds that supported HYC’s mission. Their dedication not only rallied the community but also created a foundation of hope that continues to impact youth today.

The cause was deeply personal. As parents, it struck a chord. “We couldn’t imagine youth having no parental guidance,” Margaret said.

Meeting youth at the HYC office made that connection even stronger. In the past, they remembered watching the youth come in for hygiene items or to browse donated clothing, but today HYC provides gift cards so youth can choose their own clothes. “We’d see them walk around and shop for used things on the rack,” Mike said, reflecting on the early days.

Over the years, Mike and Margaret have continued to support HYC in many ways. They’ve brought gift cards and beauty supplies, visited the Hatcher Transitional Living Program in Phoenix —which provides up to 20 dorm-style beds, life skills programming, and full-time support for youth in school preparing for independence—and even mentored youth.

“When you see these kids actually finish high school, it’s really heartwarming,” said Margaret. “Being able to graduate and then continue their education—which they never imagined they’d be able to do—that is just fantastic.”

HYC’s work doesn’t stop at graduation. To truly break the cycle of homelessness, HYC supports youth in the critical transition after high school. That’s why the organization’s model includes intentional services beyond high school—helping youth access job opportunities, college or trade programs, reliable transportation, safe housing, and emotional support as they step into independence.

HYC’s support beyond high school inspired the Hedricks to create additional opportunities for youth to pursue higher education. Margaret’s mother, Dorothy Fisher, was an educator who believed deeply in the value of learning beyond high school. In her honor, they launched the Dorothy Fisher Scholarship Fund, now in its fourth year, which provides HYC youth with financial support as they continue their education.

“When I see what HYC has done for these kids, I just want to cry,” Margaret said. “It’s truly touching, and they are so thankful.”

Seeing the impact of HYC’s programs and the scholarship fund only reinforced the Hedricks’ commitment to supporting youth. For Mike, the need is clear.

 “Youth homelessness is unfortunately an ongoing problem. If not for HYC, some of these kids would have dropped out of school because they had to work on top of their studies. Staying in school keeps them connected to learning and gives them a stable foundation, and that is so important.”

Even with the ongoing need, they find encouragement in the moments that show HYC’s work truly makes a difference. Both he and Margaret are still struck by the memory of one golf fundraiser when two youth shared their stories. The entire room was moved to tears, and then to a standing ovation.

“You knew the charity had helped them,” Margaret said. “It was pretty emotional.”

From a tiny town in Ohio to the Arizona desert, the Hedricks never imagined they’d be part of something like HYC. But over the years, their dedication has helped change countless lives. When asked to describe their experience with HYC in one word, Mike paused before offering three: “Rewarding, meaningful, difference-making.” For Margaret, it was harder to narrow it down. Instead, the couple reflected on the growth they’ve seen over the years and acknowledged how hard it can be for youth to even dream about the future when they are focused on simply surviving. “We are so proud of how HYC has expanded,” she said.

The Hedricks’ involvement is just one part of HYC’s broader mission to support youth experiencing homelessness. Through partnerships with 130 high schools across Maricopa County and Flagstaff, HYC supports more than 700 youth annually. Through their years of dedication, the Hedricks have seen firsthand the difference that care, support, and opportunity can make in a youth’s life. Their story is a reminder that behind every statistic is a youth with dreams, resilience, and potential. Thanks to HYC—and the compassion of people like the Hedricks—thousands of youth are not just surviving; they’re discovering hope, realizing their potential, and building the futures they once thought impossible.

For many youth, financial literacy can feel overwhelming, especially when they’re already navigating homelessness. When you’re focused on where you’ll sleep or how to get to school, learning how to manage money can feel out of reach. That’s why partnerships like the one between HYC and WaFd Bank are so important.

During Financial Literacy Month, we’re proud to highlight WaFd Bank volunteers Rita Kemp, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager–Glendale, and Chelsea Seamans, Branch Manager Camelback, who have been working directly with HYC youth to make financial education practical and engaging. After connecting with HYC in 2024, their team began supporting youth through donation drives and interactive financial literacy sessions tailored to what youth want to learn.

Making Money Lessons Fun

“I didn’t want it to feel like a class,” Rita said. “I wanted it to be engaging.”

One favorite activity is a budgeting game using jellybeans. Youth “pay” for real-life expenses like rent, utilities, and insurance while deciding what to spend on wants versus needs. During the game, some youth chose to skip things like renter’s insurance to “save” their jellybeans for wants, sparking fun (and eye-opening) conversations about why those protections matter in real life.

“As a kid, you don’t always realize the full picture of adult responsibilities,” Rita shared. “You might have a car—but then there’s gas, insurance, and maintenance. It all adds up.”

She also teaches practical skills like filling out checks, managing a checking account, and starting a small savings habit. And yes, snacks help keep everyone engaged.

Building Confidence for the Future

Beyond teaching concepts, Rita wants youth to see the bigger picture.

“I hope they walk away knowing the basics of banking—how to manage a checking account, build savings, and start small, even saving $5 at a time,” she said. “We talk about building credit and why it matters—like being able to buy a home one day or qualify for a good interest rate,” she explained. It’s about helping them understand how the decisions they make now can impact their future.”

Youth with Big Goals

Rita has been especially inspired by the youth she has met. “Each young person has their own vision for independence,” she shared. “That’s amazing to see.”

One youth already had a strong understanding of retirement planning. Another shared their goal of purchasing land and eventually owning a mobile home, asking thoughtful questions about how to make that happen.

“It’s about giving youth the guidance, tools, and resources so when they want to make big financial decisions—like buying a car—they’re prepared,” she shared. “Financial literacy is important for everyone.”

Through partnerships like this, HYC youth aren’t just learning about money; they’re gaining confidence and skills to make informed decisions and build stable, independent futures.

Interested in Volunteering? Join us in making a difference! For opportunities to get involved, contact Kate Blosser at kblosser@hycaz.org

“What do you want to do with your life?”

For many of the youth we serve at Homeless Youth Connection (HYC), this question has never been asked. When your daily focus is on where you’ll sleep, how you’ll eat, or how you’ll get to school, dreaming about the future can feel like a luxury.

That uncertainty can make planning for tomorrow feel impossible. But stability changes everything. At HYC, life skills are more than lessons—they are tools to build confidence, independence, and hope for the future, even amidst uncertainty.

Life Skills Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

Every youth who enters HYC carries a unique story. Some have never managed a bank account. Others have never had consistent routines or a reliable adult to guide them. Some are learning to manage their emotions for the first time.

Because every starting point is different, so is each path toward independence.

As our Chief Program Officer, Lisa Miller, explains:

“Life skills at HYC are not checklist driven—they are youth driven. We’re not handing a young person a packet and saying, ‘Complete this.’ We start by asking them what matters most right now… What are the top two or three life skills you want to focus on right now? What does independence look like to you? What kind of future do you want? Those answers shape the plan.”

Growth is still measured—but in a meaningful way. Youth complete self-assessments at the beginning and end of their time with HYC. Not as a test, but as an opportunity to reflect on how far they’ve come. For many, it’s the first time someone has asked them to recognize their own progress.

Life Skills in Two Settings

Life skills at HYC are taught in two key ways: in the field and at our Transitional Living Program (TLP). Each approach meets youth where they are and prepares them for real-world independence. Together, these approaches allow youth to learn skills they can use right away — skills that fit their circumstances and prepare them for what comes next.

Life Skills “In the Field”

For youth not living in our TLP, coaching often happens in public spaces, on school campuses, or wherever the youth feels safe. These sessions may be brief—sometimes just 20 minutes at a time—but they are focused, intentional, and life-changing.

Youth coaches help youth overcome immediate barriers—like transportation, school supplies, health care concerns, or access to vital documents such as IDs or birth certificates—while also reinforcing long-term goals.

Examples from our field staff:

• First ID Success: Danielle, HYC youth coach, helped an 18-year-old obtain his first state ID. Step by step, they navigated the MVD website, scheduled the appointment, and went together. By the end of the day, he left with a temporary ID—his first official step toward independence.
• Banking Confidence: Stefany, HYC youth coach, helped a shy college freshman open her first bank account. Together they rehearsed what to say. Once inside the bank, the youth spoke to the teller herself, opened her account, and notarized an important document—later saying, “Wow, that was a lot easier than I thought.”
• Building a Résumé: Ellyse, HYC youth coach, worked with a hesitant student to translate everyday responsibilities—school, volunteering, family care—into marketable skills on a résumé, helping her see her own value.

Even small, everyday tasks become lessons in independence, confidence, and self-advocacy. Coaches often role-play scenarios, reminding youth that mistakes are part of learning and growth.

“I encourage students to make their own phone calls,” says Francis, a youth coach. They often practice together through role-playing, which allows students to become comfortable with the conversation. “A lot of times, they don’t need someone to do it for them, they just needed someone beside them.”

For some youth, support starts with basic needs and navigating systems that adults take for granted. Arline, an HYC alumna, was living in a shelter with her family after COVID hit, when she received clothing, hygiene support, and mental health care.

“My parents weren’t negligent, but we didn’t have health or dental insurance or the resources to get care,” she recalls. “I was struggling with cavities and didn’t know how to make a dental appointment. My parents didn’t speak English, so they couldn’t help me. It was embarrassing but even the dental hygienist was in tears because of the pain I was in. I remember my peers at school saying, ‘OMG, I’m going to the dentist today,’ and I was wishing I could go.”

Through HYC, Arline learned how to advocate for herself, access services, and ask for help when she needed it—skills that she now uses every day. Today, she works alongside therapists supporting youth with autism, and she says her journey is ‘full circle.’ Arline credits HYC and her youth coaches, saying, “HYC showed me I’m not alone, and now I help others and their families in a same way.”

Reflecting on her growth, she adds: “I’ve grown so much. I used to be shy, especially about jobs, but HYC made me feel welcomed and supported, never judged, which gave me the confidence to take my first steps toward independence.”

Life Skills at HYC’s Transitional Living Program

Within TLP, life skills look different. Because youth live on-site, learning happens in real time, in real situations, alongside trusted staff.

“It starts with structure,” says TJ, a Resident Assistant. “When youth enter the program, providing consistency and clear expectations are key to help youth develop responsibility and accountability. Daily routines—laundry, meals, chores, house meetings—turn habits like organization, teamwork, and follow-through into second nature.”

Life skills here are built into every part of daily life. Staff cook with youth in the kitchen. Weekend deep cleans teach teamwork and accountability. Weekly house meetings give youth space to practice communication, solve conflicts, and speak up respectfully. Psycho-social group sessions focus on managing emotions, setting boundaries, and handling disagreements in healthy ways. Community partners teach financial literacy, and building healthy relationships, and staff also work with youth to build resumes, explore career interests, and identify jobs that might be a good fit.

A snapshot from a recent house meeting:

At a recent house meeting, youth who had been living on-site anywhere from two to eight months gathered around the living room. The meeting was led by a resident who had only been at Hatcher for two months. It was his first time leading a house meeting, and he was understandably nervous—English is his second language.

Pierre, a Resident Assistant, helped him get started by taking turns reading the questions on the agenda until the young leader felt confident enough to take over. Soon, he guided the meeting with poise. They started by sharing goals. Goals ranged: getting their own place, recovering from an injury, moving out with a partner. One joked about playing professional basketball, bringing laughter to the group.

When one youth said, “Also, guys—I want to ask that out of respect, when we have meetings, you put your phone away,” his voice carried weight—not because staff said it, but because a peer was leading by example. Pierre reminded the group, “Look at this place like this is your home, not just the HYC program.”

They also shared ideas for activities outside of the house, gave each other health reminders, and discussed grocery planning and cooking together, with one youth proudly announcing, “Next, I’m making ceviche!”

Looking Ahead

Life skills at HYC grow through community, leadership, and care. From learning to open a bank account or get a state ID, to leading a house meeting or cooking a meal for peers, every experience builds a foundation that lasts long after youth leave our programs.

Our youth are ambitious and full of dreams. They hope for independence—getting their first job or a car, exploring hobbies, learning new skills, and building meaningful connections. Watching them navigate these challenges with curiosity, determination, and humor is a reminder that with guidance and support, young people can grow, lead, and thrive, even when life hasn’t been easy. Every small victory lays the foundation for independence and confidence that lasts a lifetime.

At just 19 years old, Stephanie Gonzalez is already marching toward a future filled with possibility—one that not long ago felt far from reach.

Today, Stephanie is a student at Northern Arizona University and a member of the NAU Marching Band’s color guard, the performers whose flags and movement bring visual storytelling to life on the field. Last May, she auditioned for the band knowing they had been invited to perform in one of the most iconic events in the world: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“I really wanted to get in—especially when I found out they were going to do the Macy’s Parade,” Stephanie said. “I’ve been doing color guard since my sophomore year of high school, so this felt like such a big opportunity.”

Opening the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Stephanie and the NAU Marching Band didn’t just participate in the parade—they opened it, a surprise the band learned about just one week before the event.

“Finding out we were opening the parade was a shock for all of us,” she said. “It made the experience even more exciting.”

Marching through the streets of New York City was unforgettable.

“We marched for about an hour, but it felt like five minutes,” Stephanie shared. “Watching people cheer us on—seeing people watching from the tops of buildings—it was unbelievable.”

Beyond the performance, the band had time to explore the city together.

“We ate a lot of pizza, went to Chinatown, and even had a Thanksgiving dinner cruise through the New York Harbor, where we saw the Statue of Liberty after the parade,” she said. “It was really beautiful.”

Community Through Music

For Stephanie, marching band has always meant more than performing.

“I love being part of a community,” she said. “It’s how I made most of my friends in high school, and now in college.”

That sense of belonging helped her push through demanding practices. The band practiced three times a week for three hours at a time, often in cold Flagstaff weather.

“It was physically exhausting,” she said. “College choreography involves a lot more movement and dance. But struggling along my friends kept me going. We kept reminding ourselves: “We’re going to be in New York, performing on TV!”

A Path Shaped by Resilience

Before college, Stephanie spent several months in HYC’s Hatcher Transitional Living Program.

“Those few months were really good,” she said. “I worked while I was there and made really good friends. I still miss my roommate.”

More than just a place to stay, Hatcher helped prepare her for independence.

“It taught me how to live with someone else, to not be afraid of having a roommate, how to collaborate, keep a shared space clean, and still be responsible for myself,” Stephanie said. “That helped a lot when I got to college.”

Before coming to HYC, Stephanie made the difficult decision to leave an unsafe home environment.

“My parents weren’t very supportive, and it was a really violent place,” she said. “HYC became my home after that.”

Looking Ahead

Stephanie is majoring in Modern Languages with an emphasis in Japanese—a passion she’s had since childhood.

“I’ve always loved learning languages,” she said. “Besides English and Spanish, I’ve studied French and Korean, and now Japanese.”

Her major requires her to study abroad, something she’s eagerly anticipating.

“Most likely I’ll go to Japan,” she said. “Maybe South Korea. Outside the U.S., I’ve only been to Mexico, so I’m really excited.”

A Message for Other Youth

For youth who are experiencing homelessness, who have just arrived at Hatcher like she did, or are unsure of what their next steps may be, Stephanie offers encouragement:

“I know it’s really scary at first,” she said. “I was scared my first few days. It takes time to adjust, but if you keep the mindset that everything is going to be okay, you’ll be fine. You’ll do great things if you stay dedicated and keep a strong mind.”

That strength, she says, comes from thinking about her younger siblings.

“Knowing they might look up to me pushes me to do something with my life,” Stephanie shared. “I want them to be proud of me.”

When she thinks about the future, Stephanie sees multiple paths opening in front of her.

“I’d love to teach abroad, work as a translator, or even become a flight attendant,” she said. “Anything that allows me to use language, travel, and connect with people.”

For Stephanie, those possibilities represent more than career options—they represent freedom, stability, and a life she once wasn’t sure was possible.

When Julie first walked into HYC in 2010, there was no job description waiting for her. There wasn’t even a clear sense of what her role would be. What there was—though she didn’t fully realize it at the time—was the beginning of something foundational.

Julie came to HYC after being laid off from her job with an elementary school district, along with much of the district’s office staff. For months, she struggled to find work. Then, almost unexpectedly, a former colleague told her about a friend starting a new organization focused on helping homeless teens.

At the time, Julie didn’t have a long-term vision for what the role would become. What she had was lived experience. When she turned 18, Julie left home and spent a period living out of her car. Though she later rebuilt her relationship with her parents, she never forgot what it felt like to be unaccompanied—and how much it mattered when friends and family stepped in to help her navigate her way back.

“I was so grateful for the family and friends who helped me when I was on my own,” Julie says. “I wanted to be that for the youth who found themselves in the same situation I had been in.”

Becoming the First Youth Coach

Julie became HYC’s very first youth coach, though at the time, no one was calling it that yet.

“There was no structure at all,” she remembers. “Larry didn’t give me a job description or instructions.”

Everything was new for everyone. For days, Julie spent time at her desk waiting, unsure where to begin, while Larry was equally focused on building something entirely from the ground up. Eventually, on a day when Larry was out of the office, Julie decided to take initiative and began introducing herself at local schools. Later, she and Larry laughed about how those first steps unfolded—both, learning in real time what the work would become.

What kept her coming back? Faith and commitment. She believed in what Larry was trying to build, even if it didn’t yet have shape or systems.

“It was really scary,” Julie admits. “I hadn’t gotten a job offer in so long. I remember thinking, ‘I might not have a job next week.’ It felt like a gamble—but at the same time, I knew it was good.”

It was a gamble she was willing to take, because the youth already mattered to her.

“Just a Mom Wanting to Help”

In the early days, Julie introduced herself simply as “just a mom wanting to help.”

She had no formal training in youth work, no degree, and no roadmap. As she began meeting students and hearing their stories, she realized she needed to learn quickly. Over the summer, she enrolled in a community college course on violence and abuse. She earned a 98%—and encouragement from her professor to keep going. That fall, she started college classes while working full-time. Everything she learned in the classroom, she brought back to HYC.

“I started taking classes because a student was being abused, and I didn’t know how to help them,” she says. “I just wanted to get better at what I was doing.”

At the same time, the work quickly became all-consuming and deeply personal. In those early days, outreach looked very different than it does now. Julie was given a cell phone. That number was printed in newspapers, placed on cards, and distributed through school counselors. Youth began calling her directly—sometimes in the middle of the night.

“If I got a call, I would go,” she says. “I missed a lot of my kids’ school events. Sometimes I’d go out alone to pick up youth. Occasionally, I brought them home until we could find a safer place.”

With few established systems in place, responding often meant making difficult decisions in real time while prioritizing safety and stability for the youth. She remembers one night returning home at 3 a.m. after helping a student secure immediate shelter. It was one of many moments that made the weight of the work real, as she was one person trying to show up for young people in crisis while also being a mom to young children at home.

Not every student trusted her right away. Some never did. Others slowly opened up—once they realized she was truly there for them.

Some calls were especially hard. She recalls two siblings whose mother and her boyfriend abandoned them at a gas station on their way to Las Vegas. Somehow, the youth made it back and found HYC. Moments like that stayed with her.

Building Something from Small Acts

HYC’s work was guided entirely by the needs that surfaced. Starting with the Agua Fria School District, Julie responded to whatever students needed—school supplies, hygiene items, or even a safe place to stay. Larry worked with rotary clubs, churches, businesses, and individual donors to gather resources, while Julie stayed on the front lines, making sure youth knew help was available. With few people aware of HYC yet, every call, every connection, and every small act made a real difference.

In the beginning, HYC served about 40 students a year. There were no formal case notes, no databases, no systems. Julie began creating files simply to help her remember each youth’s story. Those files eventually evolved into formal case notes, DAP notes, and later, HMIS.

Fundraising was just as grassroots. Julie would meet with youth in the morning, then spend afternoons driving from hotel to hotel asking for free rooms or discounts. She visited restaurants asking for gift certificates, stores asking for products, and businesses willing to help in any way they could.

“I thought it was kind of cool,” she says. “To come back and show all the things I was able to get.”

Julie laughs when she remembers a connection to her own upbringing: “I didn’t think about this at the time, but my mom kind of did the same thing when I was young! She wrote letters for the homeless through our church and even asked for things like Disneyland passes. I started making a lot of connections too—for instance, if we had students who needed something for prom, I would have a contact!”

Over time, these efforts grew into a network of supporters, helping lay the foundation for the programs and partnerships that support HYC’s work today.

Watching Youth Thrive

Julie’s long hours and hard moments were always grounded in the same hope: that the youth she worked with would one day find stability, confidence, and a future of their own. She lights up when she talks about the youth who went on to thrive.

Christina, who once whispered when she spoke and barely made eye contact, was eventually placed in a host home that adopted her. Years later, Julie stood at her wedding, watching a young woman who once struggled to speak now surrounded by love.

Another youth, who couldn’t enroll in school because his parents were out of state, dreamed of becoming a paramedic. Julie helped him navigate registration, enroll in West-MEC, and eventually share his story at an HYC breakfast. Members of the Goodyear Fire Department happened to be in the room that day. They heard his speech and later offered him a job.

“That success isn’t about me,” Julie says. “That comes from the students themselves. A lot of times, they just needed a little hope to get started.”

The Mission Continues

Fifteen years later, HYC looks very different. There are systems, staff, structure, and balance. But at its heart, Julie sees the same mission she stepped into all those years ago—helping youth navigate challenges, find their voice, and imagine a future they once thought impossible.

When asked what advice she’d give to someone stepping into this role today, she says, “Don’t get discouraged. Some days are really heavy. But there are success stories. Don’t let the hard days take them away.”

As HYC celebrates 15 years, Julie’s story reminds us of the courage, care, and small acts that built the foundation for everything that followed.

At Homeless Youth Connection (HYC), youth coaches do far more than guide — they remove barriers, offer stability, and build trust with young people navigating some of life’s most challenging circumstances. There’s no “typical day.” One moment, a youth coach might be checking in at a high school; the next they’re helping a young person gather vital documents, find safe housing, or get to a doctor’s appointment.

“It’s about meeting youth where they’re at,” says John, a former teacher and principal who has served as a youth coach for six years. “You can’t help them move forward until you understand their world.”

Every youth comes with unique challenges. Some need help securing vital documents like a birth certificate or ID so they can apply for jobs or enroll in college or trade school after high school. Others need guidance with healthcare, transportation, or basic needs like food and clothing. And sometimes, what they need most is simply someone to listen.

That commitment often means going far — literally. Francis, another youth coach, regularly drives across the Valley to meet students where they are. “Sometimes that means dropping off a gift card at Pizza Hut because that’s where they work or driving out to the outskirts of town where some youth live and seeing how far they travel to go to school. Other times, it’s looking for them in the college dorms or stopping by after they get home from work. I find myself adjusting to their schedules — whatever it takes to show up and let them know they matter.”

The work comes with challenges, too, especially when needs are beyond a youth’s control. “The hardest part is not always being able to meet their needs. For example, some really want to go to driving school but don’t have a car or someone to teach them,” she explains. “Others want to work but can’t because they don’t have the documents they need — and sometimes, if they’re not 18 and an unaccompanied youth, they can’t even get those without a parent’s consent.”

Still, the impact often shows up in stories that stay with the coaches — like a youth Francis coached last year. “Her parents struggled with addiction, and she was living with her great aunt and sometimes her grandma,” Francis recalls. “She was a straight-A student, worked at Jamba Juice, but was so afraid to leave for college, even after earning a full-ride scholarship to NAU. It took me months to convince her that she could do it. I told her Flagstaff was artsy and that she needed a new scenery. She’d get panic attacks, but she went. Seeing her living in Flagstaff now, becoming friends with her roommate, and sharing photos of her dorm has been really rewarding. Even recently, she sent me a long message thanking me for never giving up on her.”

For both John and Francis, the impact is deeply personal. “There’s a connection when a youth begins to trust you,” John explains. “They know you’re in their corner.”

It’s this willingness to go the extra mile that helps youth begin to believe in themselves. When they arrive at HYC, many youth are uncertain about their future or unsure who they can rely on. By showing up consistently, even when life is unpredictable, youth coaches provide the stability and trust that become the first steps toward independence. Youth coaches are often the bridge between crisis and stability, helping youth access resources and rebuild a sense of hope and belonging.

“Many people assume the youth we serve are just bad kids who don’t want to follow rules or live at home,” Francis says. “But that’s a stigma. When you get to know a teen, you see how capable and resilient they really are.” That resilience shows up in small victories: passing a difficult class, getting their first job, or celebrating a high school graduation. Each step is a testament not only to the youth’s determination but also to the steady encouragement of the coaches supporting them.

“This work has given me a greater awareness of resilience and what it means to be human,” John reflects. “My purpose is to serve by helping these young people navigate challenges and achieve what they might not have thought possible.” Francis adds, “You don’t just see transformation in their lives — it changes you, too.”

In the end, the impact can’t always be measured by numbers or outcomes — it’s in the moments of connection, trust, and possibility that emerge along the way. “When you step back and see where a youth started and where they are now, knowing you had a part in helping them realize their potential, that’s what makes it all worth it,” John says.