VAIN Community Focus: USM
We at VAIN believe that every young person should have the opportunity to not just live from day to day, but have support and resources available to realize their dreams.
According to the Seattle Human Services Department, an estimated 620 youth under the age of 18 and another 1,380 young adults age 18-21 are homeless in Seattle and King County. VAIN supports organizations that work in both advocacy and providing services to help support the homeless youth in our community. The University Street Ministry (USM) provides meals and outreach case management in the University District. They also help youth find housing and jobs through Service Links for Youth. In contrast to city agencies, USM’s programs are being conducted in a more flexible, youth-centered environment that is less intimidating than walking into a government office asking for help in accessing services. We regularly donate gift certificates for hair services to youth in their programs who have a job interview, are looking for an apartment or can benefit from that fresh haircut feeling. Our community mission is to build ongoing supportive relationships with community heros, and USM provides us with the opportunity to keep on track to that goal. USM can provide the first steps in connecting these youth with programs to support their transition from just staying alive to building a life.
There are lots of ways you can get involved with USM. Visit: http://teenfeed.org/getinvolved.htm
-Victoria Thomas Gentry
March 6th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I remember Teen Feed from when I used to volunteer at the Old Firehouse back in high school. They used to come by every Wednesday afternoon. Another great organization is Friends of Youth.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I have so many great stories about taking a youth to vain for a free haircut — I was until recently the case manager with USM — and seeing the beautiful satisfaction and joy on their face afterwards.
Its no lie that something as simple as a snappy haircut in a really special environment can give a youth hope and a little more spunk to deal with being homeless and struggling to get on their feet.
Check us out at USM! Thank you VAIN!!