Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Honoring Briarpatch Youth Services on its 50th Anniversary
Body
WHEREAS, an estimated 300 youth in Dane County are homeless every night; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 3 youth will be approached for sex in exchange for food, shelter, drugs, etc. within 48 hours of leaving home; and
WHEREAS, 75% of these youth have already or are at high risk of dropping out of school; and
WHEREAS, In 1971 a small group of volunteers came together for the welfare of the many runaways in the Madison area. They began seeking funding through collaborative partners to create a place for young people on the run to obtain appropriate shelter, counseling and referrals to assist the family in the resolution of their conflicts; and,
WHEREAS, fifty years later, after mergers, moves and name changes, Briarpatch Youth Services exists with many of the same goals and continues to expand services to support needs of youth in Dane County; and,
WHEREAS, the Briarpatch mission is Strengthening the Lives of Youth and Families; and,
WHEREAS, Briarpatch offers a broad array of services to runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth and works closely with local governments and other non-profit organizations to provide unique programs that fill service gaps; and
WHEREAS, Briarpatch provides the first and only youth shelter in Dane County, available for youth ages 12-17; and,
WHEREAS, each year, Briarpatch serves approximately 3,000 unduplicated youth; and
WHEREAS, 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of Briarpatch Youth Services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison congratulates Briarpatch on 50 years of service to young Madisonians in crisis.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Madison Common Council and Mayor deeply thank Briarpatch staff, volunteers, and supporters for their dedication to Madison's youth and encourage all Madisonians to explore ways to support the young people in their communities and throughout the city.
Sources:
https://youthsos.org/