July 24, 2015
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Communities across the nation are developing solutions to youth homelessness that prioritize: prevention; the unique developmental needs and opportunities of young people; and alignment of systems and resources for a more coordinated response.
Cuyahoga County’s A Place 4 Me initiative is a partnership of the YWCA of Greater Cleveland, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services, FrontLine Service and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. The partners of A Place 4 Me believe every young person belongs and deserves a place to feel safe and comfortable; a place to feel welcomed and loved by family and friends; a place to dream about the future.
Over a 10-month period in 2014 and 2015, nearly 70 individuals from 30 partner agencies worked together to develop Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness in Cuyahoga County: A Strategic Plan. This strategic plan was presented at a community convening on July 9, 2015.
This strategic plan:
- Prioritizes the needs of youth and young adults ages 14 to 24 in Cuyahoga County who are:
- Unaccompanied by a parent, legal guardian or spouse, and
- Lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence
- Emphasizes homelessness prevention for youth leaving the foster care system and acknowledges the key role of the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services in supporting successful transitions to adulthood for these youth
- Reflects the diverse perspectives of the planning members, especially the young people who generously shared their experiences and ideas to improve our system
- Represents a shared commitment and vision to implementing these strategies to better serve youth
- Is ambitious, comprehensive and drives at greater coordination and alignment of services to restore housing stability for young people in Cuyahoga County
To learn more about preventing and ending youth homelessness in Cuyahoga County, contact Kate Lodge, program director of A Place 4 Me.
To learn more about preventing and ending youth homelessness in Cuyahoga County, contact Kate Lodge, program director of A Place 4 Me.