The Upstream Project
Students deserve more than reaction—they deserve prevention.
Every young person deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive without the threat of losing their home. Yet too often, schools only catch students after they’ve already fallen behind or fallen into crisis. By then, support comes too late.
The Upstream Project shifts the focus from reaction to prevention. Using a student-centered screening tool, schools can identify early signs of housing instability and disconnection, even among students who may appear to be doing well on the surface. With that knowledge, educators and community partners work together to connect students and families with the right supports—before a missed class turns into dropping out, or a temporary couch stay becomes homelessness.
Piloted at Rainier Beach High School in partnership with Chapin Hall, Upstream demonstrates that schools can play a pivotal role in preventing youth homelessness. By centering equity, collaboration, and early action, the project offers a model for how communities can keep students connected to school, supported at home, and on track for long-term success.