From: Tyler Schueffner [Tyler.Schueffner@youthsos.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 10:32 AM
To: Cdbg
Subject: Community Development Committee
I wanted to express some
thoughts with the committee. I like the idea being proposed by the Take
Back the Land/Operation Welcome Home group, The need for SRO’s is massive in
our community. That said we also need to address the issue of youth
homelessness and age appropriate services and resources. Youth Services
of Southern Wisconsin Inc. has committed itself to opening a youth shelter
within 2 years. Our current model for housing unaccompanied youth and
young adults is grossly inadequate. Recently myself and Kate Weiss of
Commonwealth Development, have been meeting to discuss the need and to plan and
develop a (collaborative) Transitional Housing Program targeting 18 – 24 year
olds. Having worked as an outreach worker and case worker for 6 years,
the biggest issue I have identified is accessible housing for this age group,
in particular youth coming out of the Foster Care system and Juvenile Justice
system. To tackle the issue of homelessness without acknowledging the
need for age appropriate and specific housing resources is to miss an
opportunity for truly preventative services.
Please contact me with
questions and/or comments.
Thank you,
Tyler Schueffner
Street Outreach Specialist
Briarpatch, Street Outreach
Program
Youth Services of Southern
Wisconsin Inc.
1955 Atwood Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
Office: 245-2550 ext. 216
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