Did You Know?
Almost 30% of homeless LGBTQ youth have attempted suicide in the last year. (Source: American Journal of Public Health, 2001.)
Thanks to more than 100 volunteer groups and a community of dedicated donors, YouthCare served over 10,000 meals and gave out 15,000 pairs of socks during 2008.
The cost of providing one bed and various wrap around services, including education and workforce training for one youth is 30% less than the cost of housing them in juvenile detention, where they receive no educational or workforce training.
YouthCare provides shelter and transitional housing (up to 80 beds) for youth ages 12-23.
Two to three times more youth apply for each open spot in YouthCare’s work force training programs - hundreds of youth are turned away each year due to lack of program funding.
The number of youth completing YouthCare’s educational and work force training programs exceeds national outcomes for similar programs. Of the 89 youth enrolled in occupational skills training, 90% completed their programs. YouthTech students graduated with an average grade of 85%.
Since partnering with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2008, YouthCare currently has over 50 young people enrolled in post-secondary education – attending college.
In 2008, more than 23 youth completed their high school diploma or GED through the Orion school or GED program.
YouthCare Street Outreach makes over 10,000 contacts each year with high-risk youth.
YouthCare runs the ONLY 24-hour/ 7-day-a-week emergency shelter for youth under 18 in Seattle. With capacity for 12 beds, funding currently covers staffing for only eight beds, so every night, four of our beds remain empty.
In King County, over 1000 homeless youth are on the streets each night with no safe shelter or place to stay.
