Backpacks for Homeless Youth

Homelessness is certainly a major concern in our urban communities particularly for the under 20 age demographic that mostly falls under the radar for services. With this in mind, each year we work to provide backpacks filled with survival supplies for the underserved homeless youth population. Although we cannot do everything we can do something and this is one of our many "Somethings" we seek to provide in order to Simply Make A Difference.

The following is a recent 2009 study of youth homelessness for the 12-17 age demographic provided by the Wilder Research group (Note: this study does not include homeless youth that are accompanied by a homeless parent. This study only represents those who are on their own):

2009 Minnesota Homeless study Fact sheet

Wilder Research

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

Unaccompanied minors, ages 12-17, are the most

invisible of the homeless population because there

are fewer services through which to contact them.

Many have come from difficult home situations:

• 38% physically abused (47% girls/26% boys)

• 20% sexually abused (32% girls/4% boys)

• 27% stayed in an abusive situation because they

had no other housing (32% girls/22% boys)

Sixty-one percent have been in a social service or

corrections placement, including:

• Foster home (34%)

• Mental health treatment center (20%)

• Group home (19%)

• Juvenile corrections for more than one week (36%)

They have the shortest episodes of homelessness,

but are homeless more frequently. The main barriers

to housing they report are:

• Age (64%)

• Lack of employment (62%)

• Lack of affordable housing (38%)

• No rental history (19%)