Outreach
Our Outreach Team consisting of a staff member, volunteers, and mentoring peers reach out to homeless youth in our community Monday through Friday. The team knows what underpass to visit and what abandoned building to approach. They offer critical safety needs by distributing food, hygiene kits, blankets, and clothing. The goal is to build trust with these young people. We want them to know we are there for them when they decide to leave the streets and come to a safe haven like CHT. Referrals to available services, medical care, and hotlines are also distributed. Thanks to our partnership with the Harris County Community Services Department, who provides Partial funding for our Street Outreach services through the Emergency Solutions Grant.
Rapid Rehousing
CHT participates in the federally funded Rapid Rehousing Program. A program designed to help individuals and families quickly move from homelessness to permanent housing. Housing assistance is offered without preconditions and the resources available are tailored towards the individual in need. The Harris County Community Services department provides partial funding for case management services for this program.
Prevention
PEP TALK, is a prevention program in which CHT’s Prevention Specialist works with schools, community centers, and churches to talk to youth and parents deemed by teachers and counselors “at risk” for becoming homeless. The perils of street life are addressed first hand in hope that the conversations will deter a youth from moving on the streets. These peer educators give personal testimonies and provide alternatives for dealing with difficult situations at home, with peers and in school. They give a powerful, first-person account of the perils of street life.
Clinic
The Richard Stasney Medical Clinic on the CHT campus provides free healthcare services to any homeless or runaway youth. Services include primary care, STD and HIV screening, mental health care, case management, health education, drug awareness and education, and substance abuse assessments. We are proud of our partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital along with their licensed professionals who staff our clinic. The clinic aims to increase awareness of and address the health needs of youth, as well as encourage youth to develop and practice healthy living habits and prevention skills.
Education and Career Planning
With our Employment Services department, we give youth the tools they need to find a job and work towards a sustainable income. With regular income and the confidence that comes from contributing to a workplace, youth can achieve lasting independence. Coaching is also provided to assist youth in maintaining employment. We collaborate with Accenture to provide job readiness and career planning curriculum to our youth.
We realize the value of education and encourage all our residents to pursue high school or GED classes. Many of our youth attend college or seek vocational training.
