How Can We Fix This PROBLEM? by Julie J. PDX Youth Advocate
PDX SOCIAL — By rahmielmitchell on September 19, 2009 at 8:52 pmHow Can We Fix This PROBLEM?
by Julie J. PDX Youth Advocate
Crime Prevention in Portland Oregon: Youth Homelessness
In Portland, we may call this sub group street kids or identified them as throw away youth, who develop into adult criminals. However, I have a different perspective on what lies between the gap between youth and our society. Our new generation is forced to live on the streets without family, education, money or social support.
A youth’s mental health is a key factor to possible patterns of homelessness in youth and later maybe diagnosed with child mental disorders, and dual diagnosis. While their experience on the streets they may be exposed to all types of street drugs, alcohol sexual activity, and pregnancy.
The Problem:
A youth may become homeless for numerous and very complex reasons. One factor that can create homelessness is trauma this may include child abuse, sexual assault, domestic and gang violence. These crisis situations lead an adolescent to be forced onto the street with no resources or any type of safety plan.
The Fix:
What can we do to decrease youth homelessness? I have attached local resources that assist in adult mentoring, individual and family counseling. As a youth advocate I believe that therapy involves coping skills that are strictly based on each individual client’s abilities and weaknesses. Studies have shown that labeling individuals and clearly identify their diagnosis at a young age can insure positive and life giving outcomes. This strategy can increase the probability of homelessness and mental health issues for children and youth in the future. We need to introduce youth to their many possibilities rather than pin point negative behaviors and their weaknesses.
Humanity in general suffers through struggles and turmoil’s so I think it’s important to realize that youth may become homelessness to due lack of community options. Another political debate in regards to youth are homeless is due to lack of economic resources, it can also be due to lack of parenting skills, no personal boundaries within the household and peer influences. All cultures, rural and urban city youth can be discovery themselves homeless. In order to help youth it’s important to be knowledgeable about different cultures, and how they are affected by homelessness. The understanding that there may customs and beliefs may be influencing their situation, but it’s important to embrace the difference and understand their life style.
Runaway and Homeless Youth Resources
If this is an immediate emergency call 911
Portland Metro Area
Harry’s Mother 24-Hour Youth and Family Help Line
503.233.8111
For immediate shelter and crisis intervention for youth who have run away from home in Oregon
Yellow Brick Road Portland, Oregon
503.789.4011
http://yellowbrickroadoutreach.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/yellowbrickroadofportland
For street outreach services and emergency shelter in Portland’s Downtown Homeless Youth Continuum
Street Light and Porch Light Homeless Youth Shelters
503.224.5988 - Reservation Line
For youth-serving case managers who are seeking nightly shelter space for youth ages 13 to 20
503.535.1150 ext. 1108
For information on alcohol and drug addiction services and mental health treatment for homeless youth
Southwest Washington Area
Oak Bridge 24-Hour Youth and Family Help Line
888.979.4357
For immediate shelter and crisis intervention for youth who have run away from home in Washington
360.213.5947
For street outreach services and information on emergency shelter for youth in Southwest Washington
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11 Comments
Great article I had no idea it was that bad…
I worked with homeless chronically mentally Ill for about 5 years….and met many, many others. We have a HUGE Homeless problem in PDX: mentally ill, Vets, Whole families, Youth, the Elderly, the physically disabled. Many resources that existed just a few years ago, no longer exist. Medical care can be obtained from OutsideIn; they offer many services to youth and homeless persons. There may be a slight fee, but I believe that can be waived. They have been around for a lot of years. You’d be wise to call and ask for specifics regarding your personal needs, as they may have changed since my last contact with them a few years ago.
Many financial advisers suggest that people should have something like 3 months + equivalent of their earnings saved in case of disaster or job loss or home loss. I know very few adults in this position, let alone youth. To be honest there are more of us living hand to mouth these days and some of us live merely a paycheck away from being homeless ourselves no matter what age we are.
Here in PDX we have more services for substance abusers and ex-cons then we have for homeless people. And although I sincerely believe that both substance users and ex-cons need help and services, I also believe that homeless persons deserve and need more help, especially those who are fragile. These are not throw-away people.
Children are and have always been our future, but sadly they always seem to get the short end of the stick. “nuf said. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak about some of the most resilient and coolest people I have had the opportunity to meet and work with. PEACE
I love the article, I didn’t know that YOUTH Homelessness was that bad here! I love working with teens and currently work through Parks and Rec and incorporate benefits with my Hip Hop. I would love to assist in helping up lift homeless Youth, any suggestions how I could get involved?
There are numerous ways to get involved in your community in regards to youth homelessness and mental health: both intervention and prevention strategies are important
Here are ways you can involved in decreasing homelessness
1. Mentoring program at your local school, church or a direct organization , a great program is Oregon Mentors Program
2. Outreach work giving youth the right resources and directing them to the right resources and advise them for a safety plan.
3. Direct services are limited at many non profits so donating at youth clothes, blankets, food, hygiene products are neede at many local shelters.
4. Volunteering at your local boys and girls club that involves children in art, music, dance and athletics. They also have growth groups that help with their education and life skills.
5. Being a foster care parent, a large percentage of these children in Oregon are either suffering for trauma due to child abuse.
6. Volunteering at your local government agencies as well as program based on children who are effect by family DV cases or sexual assault.
Yo jewelz Loved the article posted & well aware of the problem that kids,teens& adults face not only here locally but nationwide as a whole!I myself have experienced these same issue’s do to all sorts of circumstance’s do to poor parenting, judgement,drug & alcohal abuse,not just by my parent’s but other people.There is not one Family that is not affected by these issue’s, it’s that people are to scared to confront these issue’s or share them with other’s!!Our goal as humanity is to not Beware but be Aware no matter we have to help advocate for those that cant or wont so we have community awareness.Through coach’s,mentors & those that expressed genuine love for me& humanity I have overcane these issue’s & here to help those in need through sports,music etc… Ya’ll know what we need to do-Let’s do & make it happen capt!!!One love,One World.One peace
Bob Marley was set to take stage @ a peace rally back in the 70’s & in those evening’s in prepporation he was at his home in Jamaica & two gunmen came & shot him down thought he was dead,Two day’s later he arrived @ the peace rally Sang his songs to the masses & when he was finished they had asked him why?Bob Marley replied these negative people are not taking a day off so why should we?stop the darkness & spread the light through the love of music,tere can be peace in our streets & in the world if we believe as a whole,we must believe to recieve in any religion
I work with The Salvation Army here in Portland, and whereas we do not offer any homeless youth shelters, we have other programs within our community centers that are designed to help educate youth and keep them off the streets. Across Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, these community centers offer after-school, athletic and musical programs that hopefully inspire kids. These centers are oftentimes a home away from home for many, especially since a portion of the kids who come to the community centers have difficult home lives.
To get involved in any of these centers or for volunteer opportunities, you can call Amy at 503.239.1227 and she can find a place for you to help mentor these youths.
Check out our website for more information!! http://www.salvationarmyportland.org
Also, in case of emergency, a great resource to call if you are homeless or in a domestic violence situation is the Social Service Hotline at 2-1-1. This number will refer you to a local program that will help you get out of whatever situation you may be in.
Thought provoking article, great job!
Homelessness is such a tragic circumstance; it greatly affects the Portland area. Having worked with DV survivors and their families I am aware this is a special challenge for this subset of the population. Additionally, I was surprised to learn that so many children in the PPS district are homeless.
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