Washington Youth & Families Fund awards first-ever grants targeted for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
A stable job is key to maintaining stable housing. Fulfilling one’s education is key to a fulfilling life.
Building Changes, through the Washington Youth & Families Fund, has awarded employment and education service grants to six nonprofits across the state to help young people experiencing homelessness get jobs, continue their schooling and, ultimately, maintain stable housing. The awards are the first grants since the fund’s expansion in December 2014 that specifically target youth and young adults, including young people of color and LGBTQ youth, both of whom are disproportionately represented in the homeless population.
A statewide advisory committee of providers and youth helped inform the funding strategy for the grants. The panel found that employment and education services are essential in helping youth maintain housing stability.
The three-year grants, totaling $1.62 million, have been awarded to homeless providers, workforce development contractors, a workforce development council and a nonprofit focused on immigrants and refugees. This diversity among the grantees will create rich opportunities for Building Changes to learn about the best approaches that help youth and youth adults secure jobs, continue their education and, ultimately, maintain stable housing.
Washington Youth & Families Fund Service Grants
Grants totaling $1.62 million have been awarded to six nonprofits in the state of Washington. The three-year grants are designed to help youth and young adults maintain housing stability by providing better access to—and engagement with—mainstream employment and education services.
Career Path Services, Spokane County: $460,000
Funds a full-time navigator to coordinate employment, education and housing services. Also provides flex funds (cash assistance) to help resolve barriers to employment that are common for youth and young adults. For example, flex funds can pay for transportation to and from work, work clothes, training programs, certification fees, or tuition for continuing education. The funds also may pay for work-based learning opportunities for youth and young adults who currently are not eligible.
Janus Youth Programs, Clark County: $242,132
Funds a full-time navigator to coordinate employment, education and housing services. Also provides flex funds (cash assistance) to help resolve barriers to employment that are common for youth and young adults. For example, flex funds may pay for transportation to and from work, work clothes, training programs and certification fees.
Multi-Service Center, King County: $282,900
Funds a full-time case manager to provide direct employment and education services. Also provides flex funds (cash assistance) for support services, such as transportation, testing fees, school supplies and employment-related expenses. The funds also may supplement limited paid work-based learning opportunities.
Somali Youth & Family Club, King County: $50,331
Funds a part-time case manager to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and support services in the Somali and East African communities in South King County. Also provides flex funds (cash assistance) to help resolve barriers to accessing services that are common for youth and young adults. For example, flex funds may pay for transportation, acquisition of required documentation and work clothes.
Workforce Snohomish, Snohomish County: $324,595
Funds education and employment navigation staff that will be shared with Cocoon House. Also provides flex funds (cash assistance) for support services, such as transportation, required document acquisition and work clothes.
Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, Yakima County: $261,292
Funds case management and navigation services that will be shared by a collaborative of agencies. Also provides flex funds (cash assistance) to help resolve barriers to employment that are common for youth and young adults. For example, flex funds may pay for transportation to and from work, work clothes, training programs and certification fees.
