Since 2007, we observe November as Homeless Youth Awareness Month.
As an organization that serves families with children that are experiencing homelessness, we hope to bring awareness and advocacy about youth homelessness, in November and all year long. In 2022-23, we housed 68 individuals from 24 families. 60% of these individuals were children under the age of 18 years old. We’ve seen first hand the way homelessness and lack of basic needs affects a child’s physical, mental, and emotional development, social skills, ability to meet educational milestones, physical and mental health, relationships, and self-esteem. Our staff works to equip homeless youth and their families to overcome barriers to set them up for a successful future. The children we serve are more than the situation they were put in, and we hope to make every child see their true worth and potential regardless of their current living situation!
The Shirley T. Frye YWCA Greensboro assists homeless youth through efforts such as:
- Working with Guilford County Schools to ensure children are enrolled in and attend school
- Bringing a tutor in-house to provide homework assistance and enhance literacy
- Encouraging parents to be active in their children’s education
- Providing families access to multiple bookcases full of books appropriate for all ages and reading levels
- Connecting families to resources for their children related to physical and mental health care, childcare, education, and more
- Utilizing an in-house congregational nurse, provided by Cone Health, to provide basic health care
- Hosting in-house activities for families to encourage quality time and strengthen the family unit
- Celebrate each child’s birthday with a personalized cake, thanks to the generous Dahlin family!
- Provide case management using a whole family approach, so progress will trickle down from parent to child
