HOMELESS YOUTH CONNECTION INC
9950 W Van Buren Street No 114, Avondale, AZ 85323 www.hycaz.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: Homeless Youth Connection's (HYC) mission is to eliminate barriers to graduation for homeless youth and create lasting solutions for a successful future through community support and increased awareness.

In the 2019-2020 school year, HYC served 444 students, a lower number than previous years; we will share why below. Of the youth served, there were 70 freshman, 90 sophomores, 80 juniors and 164 seniors and 38 alumni. In May, there were 115 seniors actively participating in the program. Of those, 77 graduated, and 31 will be attending summer school or another year of high school to make up classes. HYC helped 108 (or 94%) of seniors stay in school and complete their education. This is a 3% increase for our 2018-19 school year.This past year, HYC experienced unexpected events that lead to a lower than expected number of youth served. We had anticipated serving approximately 800 youth which was on trend from previous years. As mentioned above HYC served 444 youth this past year, this lower number was a result from:1. Fewer youth being identified and referred to HYC from several high school districts. 2. COVID-19, schools closed mid-March and went to online education. This also slowed down the identification process for homeless youth. As a result, HYC spent considerable time meeting with all the districts to address concerns and challenges they experienced in referring students. The greatest challenge for some districts was that HYC is required to use a client database system due to federal funding HYC receives. There were concerns with how the information in the new database system was being used. These concerns have been addressed and we believe the issue has been resolved. Interestingly, the lower number of students provided HYC a fresh perspective and an opportunity to look at our service model and make some changes to have a stronger impact with the youth we serve. The impact of COVID-19 is something our entire community has been managing. We are working closely with our school representatives to be prepared to serve youth in the upcoming year considering all possible learning situations remote, hybrid or in-person. HYC is committed to providing essential services while maintaining safety for the youth we serve, our community partners and our staff. Host Family programThis year, HYC provided safe and stable housing to 18 unaccompanied youth through the Host Family program. Of those youth, nine of the ten seniors graduated from high school. Four students were last year's graduates that HYC continued to support during their first year of college. Three were juniors who will continue with HYC this coming school year to complete their senior year.All nine graduates completed their Plan for the Future, including completing their FAFSA. Seven of the nine are enrolling in college, and the other two are pursuing full time employment. Five are currently employed. Eight of the youth have their birth certificate and social security card, and all are working on securing their state ID card. Of the 18 youth who have participated in the Host Family Program this year, 12 received counseling, 11 received transportation assistance, two received assistance with identifying a primary care and dental provider and assistance with insurance, and three received assistance with securing identification documents and vital records. Aftercare ServicesThis past year, HYC completed its first year of Aftercare Services for 46 youth who have completed the HYC program. Upon exiting the program, aftercare services are offered by case managers to include a monthly check-in with youth to ensure they have continued their housing sustainability, access to services and any assistance they may need. Employment after High School Pilot programOver the past two years, we have seen a growing trend with HYC graduates who are interested in gaining employment after high school rather than attending secondary education. It was important for HYC to offer access to employers who could provide a sustainable wage, benefits and an opportunity for training and ongoing employment. In January 2020, HYC partnered with Trinity Opportunity Youth to provide youth with companies that foster a positive and all-inclusive opportunity for employment including Fry's Food Stores and Amazon. Both companies presented employment and career opportunities to HYC, and how we could best prepare youth for interviews. Since the partnerships began, more than 20 high school seniors have been hired and continue to be employed. It is our hope to expand these partnerships to secure tracks for a variety of specialties in the fields of technology, automotive, banking, and restaurant services. School Resource Pantries Pilot programAfter months of planning, this past year HYC teamed up with Phoenix Union High School District and Carl T. Hayden High School and community partners from across Maricopa County to help create the Falcon Family and Community Resource Center. The Resource Center offers clothing, hygiene items and school supplies as well as some household items to students and families in need of resources. This center allows youth to have quicker access and the ability to make their own selections instead of having their case manager make choices for them. This center is open during school hours and on select Saturdays throughout the year.2019-20 ConclusionThis past year has been challenging and exciting and eye-opening and opportunity filled. We are proud of our work and the impact we made despite some obstacles we did not anticipate. This upcoming year will look different as we navigate making plans and keeping safe with the Coronavirus and collaborating with our school districts response. We are energized with our plans for the upcoming year and are excited to share with you.

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