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7.1 HRSR 10-06-2014 El REQUEST FOR ACTION River TO ITEM NUMBER Housing and Redevelopment Authority 7.1 AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY General Business October 6, 2014 Jeremy Barnhart, Deputy Director, COD ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By Open Doors for Youth REVIEWED BY ACTION REQUESTED Receive information related to Open Doors for Youth, to aid homeless young people in Elk River BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION Cheryl Wold is chair of a community wide effort in Elk River to address the issue of homeless young people, ages 16-21,in the Elk River area. Their goal is to establish a drop-in resource center where youth who are homeless can get immediate needs met and work on longer term solutions. They are developing partnerships with community organizations, the school district and Sherburne County Social Services. Open Doors for youth is modeled in some ways after similar programs in Anoka and Bloomington. They are seeking financial assistance and a site to house their operation. A facility has specific needs: independent entrance,an office space, secure storage area. Based on the description of the operation, a commercially zoned property seems most appropriate. After the introduction and input from the HRA, staff will work with Ms. Wold on sites. FINANCIAL IMPACT None. • P o $ E N E e e r NATURE /7,e/9-/-27/- OPEN DOORS - FOR Y O U T H &/Odour- fve VISION Empowering youth experiencing homelessness to shape their futures as self-sufficient and thriving young adults. MISSION To provide a safe place where youth (ages 16 thru 21) experiencing homelessness can acquire basic needs and resources to become self-sufficient. Open Doors for Youth will be a drop-in resource center where youth experiencing homelessness can acquire basic needs and resources to become self-sufficient. Immediate needs such as clothing,food items, hygiene supplies, meals, sleeping bags, pillows and gas cards will be available on site. Essential services such as medical and mental health support, legal assistance, education and employment support and case management will also be available on site or through referral. We provide access to computers and assistance in finding overnight shelter.The resource center will also be a safe and supportive place to rest and relax. We will assist homeless youth, ages 16 through 21,from Elk River, Rogers and Zimmerman (Independent School District 728 area).The resource center will be open Monday through Friday, noon to 6pm, with youth drop-in hours from 2pm—6pm. Supper will be available daily. Open Doors for Youth is in partnership with Sherburne County Area United Way Cheryl Wold, Chair,Open Doors for Youth Ciwold26 @gmaiLcom 763-241-0199 Programs for Youth Open Doors for Youth will offer a safe and welcoming site for youth to begin developing trust and self-reliance. We realize that the young people entering our doors very likely have experienced serious adversity and trauma. They all have unique needs, experiences, abilities and aspirations. Our programs are youth-centered. We will guide and support them as they develop their personal goals and plans for moving forward. Our intention is to partner with existing community organizations and resources in offering these needed goods and services. Immediate needs: • clothing • access to food support (food shelf) • on-site meal • help with transportation (gas cards, rides) • assistance in finding overnight shelter • computer and internet access • laundry and shower facilities • sleeping bags and pillows • hygiene supplies • a safe, supportive place to relax or work Services: • case management • medical and mental health support and referral • legal assistance • education and employment support • assistance in securing stable housing • tutoring • independent living skills training • empowerment activities Trained volunteers will staff the drop-in center. All volunteers having direct interaction with the youth will clear a background check and complete a training program.Training will cover such topics as: 1) being trauma informed, 2 )using a person-centered approach rather than a program-centered approach, and 3) mandated reporting. Additional workshops on related issues (such as sex trafficking) will also be available to our volunteers.