“Hey babe, you want a ride.” If she has heard that once, she’s heard it a thousand times. It comes with the territory when you spend as much time on the street as she has. What choice does she have? Her mom kicked her out because her new “friend” pays too much attention to her…he creeps her out anyway. She just wished her mom would have picked her, but then again, she can’t pay the bills like he can. She tries to keep moving from friend to friend so that she doesn’t wear out her welcome. After all, Company is like fish. Her granny always said, “After 3 days they start to stink.” She’s quit trying to keep up with her school work; she hasn’t been able to keep track of her books and assignments moving from place to place so much. At 17 she’s too young to keep a full-time job. Even if she could find one, how would she get there? She knows a guy who wants to “take care of” her, but she’s not sure what he wants in return…

Homeless youth…the stark reality is that on any given night approximately 300-400 youth in the Bay County area are homeless. Beginning in February 2008, the Transitional Living Program is an integral resource to homeless youth 16-21 years old. Working from a positive youth development philosophy, the Transitional Living staff members work with youth to develop opportunities and supports for youth to move out of a setting that puts them at high risk of exploitation and abuse and into self-sustaining, independent lifestyles.

Initially, up to 6 youth live in a 5 bedroom home while they focus on learning essential life skills, re-entering and finishing school, obtaining steady employment, and addressing unmet needs such as medical concerns, family problems, substance abuse or mental health issues. In this phase of the program residential staff members provide case management, training, mentoring and support as well as 24 hour on-site availability. As youth demonstrate they are ready they transition to independent living aftercare, staff make supportive contacts with them in the living arrangement of their choice.

We have been blessed by an outpouring of community involvement, from donation of furniture and linens to mentoring and tutoring the youth we serve. But, we still have room for you to get involved.

If you would like to volunteer or to be considered for employment, please use these links or see the What You Can Do page.

If you’d like to know about Transitional Living Program’s current needs, see our Needs List.

Find out how you can financially support the work of the Transitional Living Program, by becoming an Anchor for today’s youth.