Seven young, formerly homeless women, ages 18-22 years old, will be spared from homelessness, thanks to the generosity of many, and a new five-year grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded to Naperville-based 360 Youth Services.
In October 2012, the organization learned that federal funding was eliminated for its transitional housing program for homeless young women.
“The program is one of only a few in the state and the thought of closing it due to lack of funding seemed ludicrous,” said Debbie Carr, Residential Services Director for 360 Youth Services.
The agency immediately responded to the news of the funding cut with a strong advocacy initiative and a social media campaign called “A Dollar for Our Daughters.”
Board member, Nicki Anderson, spearheaded the social media campaign and helped generate over $80,000 within a few months.
“We learned just how generous people can be in a time of need. These girls needed an advocate and they got hundreds. I can’t tell you how much this meant to me to see these girls get what they deserve, a shot at a positive future,” said Anderson.
Despite the funding challenges and uncertainty, the program has received lots of attention from local community members, especially women. A group known as 100 Concerned Women in Naperville answered the call for help and raised almost $10,000 for the program as each member wrote a personal check for $100.
“Our top priority has always been keeping these young women from becoming homeless,” said Ron Hume, Executive Director for the agency.
Hume pointed out that while donations helped keep the program alive through the initial crisis, funding is still needed. The new grant is $100,000 less than the previous five-year grant.
“We will work harder than ever to make up those lost funds,” Hume added. “We know we can do it, and so does the community that helped us save this incredible program.”
In 2006, 360 Youth Services led the crusade to open the unique transitional housing program for this hugely underserved population. While programs existed in the Chicago metro area for pregnant or parenting young women from this age group, no such program existed in the area for those who were not pregnant or parenting. The program currently has a 98 percent success rate transitioning homeless young women to independence and permanent housing within 18 months.
360 Youth Services impacts 30,000 youth and their families each year through prevention education, counseling, and housing for homeless youth. For more information, visit www.360youthservices.org.
Submitted by Dawn Portner, Special Events and Marketing Coordinator, 360 Youth Services
