Target Population
We develop relationships with youth and young adults aged 13-29 who live on the street in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. The neighborhood is an international destination for youth who often come here seeking refuge from abusive families, alienating foster care and group home situations, and juvenile justice system involvement. These homeless young people encounter constant threats to both their physical and mental health while on the streets.
Every year, HYA has more than 1,500 counseling sessions, track at least 5,000 referrals, broker 1,400 medical appointments and assist an average of 70 participants to housing, drug detoxification and residential treatment programs a year.
Mental illness is a health issue that affects many street youth who most commonly suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bi-polar disorder. Research verifies that the symptoms of mental illness are significantly more common among homeless and runaway youth than among housed youth. The difficulties of living on the street can both exacerbate preexisting mental health related issues, and can also create new challenges for youth to struggle with and address in terms of their health and stability. Yet homeless young people traditionally have felt unable to access mental health services that are available because of cultural barriers, including perceived insensitivity of providers. Thus, self-medication with street drugs and alcohol is a common strategy for isolated young people dealing with emotional disturbances and trauma.Project History | Program Description | Youth Involvement