HOMELESSNESS IN THE COMMUNITY
Whidbey Island serves 3 different school districts: South Whidbey, Coupeville, and Oak Harbor. In each one of these districts, temporary housing can look very different. Some areas are very wooded and are easy to hide in; some areas are more city-like and have housing options that the others do not. The majority, 70% of these homeless youth are “doubled up”, meaning they are sleeping on the couches, floors, and occasionally the extra beds of friends.
There are many reasons why youth are homeless. Approximately 26% leave home due to a parent or parents with substance abuse issues. Neglect also comes into play during these scenarios; parents are so busy with their own issues, they cannot focus on their children. The next largest population of homeless students (approx. 20%), live in homes where abuse is the reason for their departure.
We also have a large group of students who are homeless because their families, even though stable, do not approve of their lifestyle. The majority are those youth are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender.
A much smaller number of students are spending time with kids their parents don’t approve of, so they are either kicked out of the home or move in with those friends.
Some other reasons for student’s becoming homeless: a parent’s inability to financially support their child, failed adoption or foster care, or mental illness affecting the parent. There are also a small percentage of kids who are involved in drugs, gang relations, or who have issues with juvenile delinquency.
Whidbey Island also has an escalating number of military kids whose parents have been relocated. These kids often convince their parents to let them stay with friends, just to find themselves homeless when they are asked to vacate due to a variety of circumstances. Ryan’s House For Youth believes that there is no good reason for a child to be denied the opportunity of a safe home environment. They are all entitled to regular meals, clean clothes, a place to take a hot shower, and the support of caring adults.
As young people turn 18, we see many young people aging out of the foster care system with no where to go and finding themselves at Ryan's House for Youth. Other young people may be asked to leave either their home or where they have been staying.
Some other reasons for student’s becoming homeless: a parent’s inability to financially support their child, failed adoption or foster care, or mental illness affecting the parent. There are also a small percentage of kids who are involved in drugs, gang relations, or who have issues with juvenile delinquency.
Whidbey Island also has an escalating number of military kids whose parents have been relocated. These kids often convince their parents to let them stay with friends, just to find themselves homeless when they are asked to vacate due to a variety of circumstances. Ryan’s House For Youth believes that there is no good reason for a child to be denied the opportunity of a safe home environment. They are all entitled to regular meals, clean clothes, a place to take a hot shower, and the support of caring adults.
As young people turn 18, we see many young people aging out of the foster care system with no where to go and finding themselves at Ryan's House for Youth. Other young people may be asked to leave either their home or where they have been staying.
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