Elevate North Texas
North Texas Youth Shelter
Every night, thousands of young people experience homelessness without a parent or guardian –and go to sleep without the safety, stability and support of a family or a home.
Youth Homelessness is not an isolated issue only found in select areas of the United States. Unfortunately, it exists everywhere including right here in North Texas.
Pre-COVID, Dallas ISD reported 3,964 students who were experiencing homelessness. Mesquite ISD reported an additional 670 students who were experiencing homelessness. We know that number has grown with so many families finding themselves without employment due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first step in solving the problem is to shine a light on it.
4.2M
youth experience homelessness each year in America
1.6M – 2.8M
youth runaway and are homeless every year
1 of 3
youth on the streets will be propositioned for sex within the first 48 hours of being homeless
5,000
unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, illness or suicide
We believe there are three main reasons why youth experience homelessness:
- Family/Home doesn’t want them anymore.
- Someone at home was hurting them.
- Home just does not exist anymore.
Barriers that homeless youth face:
- Not enough beds
- Location of beds: Dallas City limits, primarily
- Curfew ordinances
- Adult shelters
- Accessing mental health resources
- Getting ID and documents
- Signing for an apartment
- Getting a hotel room
There are only 4,117 beds available nationwide for youth.
LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness, and they face unique challenges in the midst of the pandemic. Issues include limited access to community support and counseling and, in some cases, quarantining with unsupportive family members.
LGBTQ+ youth are already a vulnerable population and at higher risk of anxiety, depression, homelessness, and self-harm than their non-LGBTQ peers. Elevate North Texas wants every youth that comes through our doors to know that they are loved and accepted just as they are. Our job is to provide a safe, healthy, and affirming environment for these youth to stay and elevate themselves to greater things.
