LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES
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Mission Statement
Larkin Street Youth Services’ mission is to provide a continuum of services that inspires homeless and runaway youth to move beyond the streets.
About This Cause
Since 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services has been committed to helping San Francisco’s most vulnerable youth ages 12-24 move beyond street life. This commitment has fueled the development of a comprehensive continuum of services that is internationally recognized as a model of innovative and effective care. We offer stability, safety, and the opportunity for a better life. Larkin Street provides a broad continuum of services in support of our mission to inspire homeless, runaway and at-risk youth to find alternatives to street life and achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Our model is unique and effective because of its comprehensiveness. We understand the broad needs of the young people we serve and ensure that our services offer the full complement of programs needed to meet them. Our programs include the following: Engagement Services: Street outreach, two drop-in centers, two shelters, a medical clinic and HIV Prevention programming aimed at helping homeless youth engage with Larkin Street’s services and resolve the immediate crises in their lives. Housing & Support Services: Programs that comprise more than 300 supported housing beds for 24 months or longer to ensure that youth develop the skills and resources to achieve adult independence. The continuum includes specialized programs for LGBTQ youth, those who are HIV+, those with mental illness, and current and former foster youth. Behavioral Health Services: Agency-wide case management oversight, coordinated staff training to ensure alignment of understanding and implementation of agency theory of change, and mental health and substance abuse counseling and therapy to ensure that all clients are receiving the highest level of support as they develop the skills necessary to transition into independent adults. Art programming which provides opportunities for youth to develop fine and performing arts skills, as well as the opportunity to engage in art-based therapy, as well as interact with the community at-large. HIV Health Services: Congregate and scattered-site housing, an HIV specialty medical clinic, and daily milieu activities for HIV-positive youth. Larkin Street Academy: Comprehensive education and employment programming that allows youth to complete their high school education or GED; enroll in postsecondary education; develop technology skills; and secure career-track employment so that they can achieve personal and financial independence. Youth Leadership: Opportunities for personal- and community-leadership through multiple channels. The Youth Advisory Board is comprised of Larkin Street clients who are dedicated toward advocacy and leadership. They serve as a unified voice representing the Larkin Street client population by acting as liaisons between clients and staff. Fruity Wednesdays is a weekly community-building night for homeless LGBTQ youth, entirely conceived, planned and launched by youth. Finally, opportunities for youth to participate in local, state and national advocacy efforts are supported and encouraged by staff across the agency and occur regularly throughout the year.