Maricopa County partnered with Catholic Charities and Homeless Youth Connection to help buy and renovate a home that will serve as a safe place for homeless youth to stay while they’re connected to a host home.
Maricopa County Human Services Department’s Housing and Community Development Division provided Catholic Charities $330,000 of federal funds for the home. The home recently opened and served its first client.
“We have a responsibility as a society to provide for a safe, secure, and stable home for our youth,” said Maricopa County Human Services Director Bruce Liggett. “I can think of no more important investment than our youth for their future and our future.”
Homeless Youth Connection’s Emergency Home provides an immediate safe and nurturing environment while the organization finds host homes. After staying in the home, students are placed with a host family and supported as they complete high school. All the services are at no cost to the students.
“Our goal is to give homeless youth the tools they need to stay in school and succeed,” said Homeless Youth Connection Executive Director Dawn Bogart. “Providing a roof over their heads is a crucial step towards that goal.”
Homeless Youth Connection plans to house 60 students each year in the home.