SEA HAVEN, INC. www.seahaveninc.com

Opportunities for struggling youth..

•CREATE THE SCENE

•SET THE TONE

•GET IN TUNE WITH POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

PARKING LOT

•PARK YOUR QUESTIONS

BEST PRACTICES

• FLEXIBILITY–Open minded–Policies /procedures

• HOUSE TRADITIONS–Zero tolerance–Non – judgmental–Youth Friendly

PROMOTE + YOUTH DEVELOPMENTYouth InternsAdvisory membershipsIncentivesSignage

RHY TRENDSConfidentiality“Keeping it real”Evidence Based ApproachesOutreach EffortsSafe Exit StrategiesReduce Stigma

POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENTWORKSHOP

Building the Bridge from Box to Bed: How Creative and Effective Outreach Practices can Engage Hard to Reach

Street “Travelers”

POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

• PRESENTED BY:

• ANTQUAN J. SMITH, PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR SEA HAVEN STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM.

• CHRISTINA B. JACKSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SEA HAVEN, INC.

PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE MISSION

SEA HAVEN STREET OUTREACH CENTER

• HAS AS ITS MISSION TO FORM ALLIANCES WITH FELLOW “TRAVELERS” WHOSE ROADS HAVE

INTERSECTED WITH OURS. IN WALKING A COMMON PATH FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, WE

MAY RECONNECT SIGNIFICANT LIFELINES, SHARE ACQUIRED WISDOM, AND ENHNACE THE

ADVENTURE OF OUR COLLECTIVE JOURNEY.

STATISTICS“62% of runaway and homeless youth are never

reported or sought after by guardians”

• According to the McKinney Vento guidelines.– 654 students were homeless in Horry County– 10,000 youth were homeless in South Carolina

• Sea Haven programs– 179 youth resided at the shelter program– 53 youth accessed the Transitional Living Program– 120 youth accessed the Sea Haven Street Outreach “drop-in”

center.– Safe Place program

• 14 youth were counseled by phone, 5 were from Sea Haven safe place sites.

– Youth not in school; not working • 23,957 in SC, • 1,116 in Horry County

SEA HAVEN STREET OUTREACH CENTER/PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE

• Ages up to 21 years• Services include: ‘drop-in’ emergency crisis

intervention, counseling, laundry facilities, showers, survival pack, food, educational materials, and assistance leaving the streets.

• Safe, comfortable, friendly environment.• “Chillin” time• Opportunities for high school and college students to

make a difference. • After school reading program – “Great Conversation”

VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS

FRONT ENTRANCE

LOBBYWORD OF MOUTH

RESOURCE ROOM

SURVIVAL SERVICES

FUN-HOUSE

BOOM WHACKERS

STREET OUTREACH SERVICES

• Expanded Mobile Outreach (E.M.O)• Street Outreach• Midnight Outreach• 4th Quarter• School Awareness• Food Vouchers• Combat Hunger

E.M.O

• Twice a week Sea Haven’s Project Lighthouse van visits outlying rural areas in Horry County to meet youth who have been reported as homeless, aimless and congregating in local areas.

• Survival packs of food, water, undergarments, personal hygiene supplies and an invitation to utilize Sea Haven services are provided.

OUTREACH EFFORTS

• STREET TEAMS–A Street team consist of a minimum of 3

individuals which include 2 senior staff, volunteer/intern, and other Sea Haven staff if necessary.– Street Outreach is conducted two afternoons a

week in known youth hangouts. Program youth also participate in street outreach if able–Additional outreach includes visiting local food

pantry-community kitchen, Libraries, parks, bus-stations, and shopping mall.

MIDNIGHT OUTREACH

• 3 individuals including 2 senior staff, volunteer/intern, Advisory members, and program youth can participate.

• Safety protocol: ED and local law enforcement have schedules, security management on the boulevard is in check with process, cell phones, program identification through t-shirts, picture id’s, and signage on van.

• ALWAYS REMAIN TOGETHER!• Initial research of youth hangouts is

completed in order to make efforts more efficient.

SCHOOL AWARENESS

• Outreach teams visit local high and middle schools weekly throughout the school year during lunch periods.

• We engage with youth, handout informational materials, and play games.

4TH QUARTER

• Open house to the community youth once a month.

• Advertisement through flyers, word of mouth, and PSA’S.

• Video Games• Card Games• Ping Pong• Much more…

FOOD VOUCHERS

• Food vouchers are given to marginal motels on the boulevard and at the E.M.O location sites to encourage youth to visit the street outreach center and access services.

• Safe exit strategy- This concept is used as a strategy to entice youth to explore the opportunities provided by Sea Haven. By distributing food vouchers the youth has a chance to visit, learn more about services, stay safe, and it provides food for a day.

COMBAT HUNGER

Outreach program in the Transitional Living Program that provides weekend food for students in local High and Middle schools who are homeless/at-risk, or struggling.

Chef Boyardee- pop topsVienna SausagePop-tartsPeanut butter crackersSoup- pop topsCrackersSnack bowlsFruit cups90-second rice- store brandsHungry Jack mashed potatoes- just add water Snacks- variety sealed

EVIDENCE BASED APPROACHES

• HARM REDUCTION APPROACHIn recognizing the potential harm associated with street life, the program immediately provides services that will reduce the dangers while living on the street. The intent is not to abet street life but to reduce the daily risks for those youth…

HARM REDUCTION CONT.

– Drop-in” center– Emergency assistance– Food, clothing, laundry facilities, temporary shelter,

survival kit, and ID’s– Condom dispenser– Blankets and rain ponchos– Bus Tickets– Safe Place hotline– Wise Guys, Smart Girls – SC Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign- “What could

you do?”, S.H.A.R.P

• TRAUMA INFORMED CAREStaff completely understand the impact of

trauma and how to effectively maximize efforts without causing more trauma. The focus of the program is to help the youth overcome obstacles that may interfere with the ability to reach self-sufficiency and well-being.–Motivational Interviewing - a goal oriented

youth center process that includes a non-judgmental counseling approach.–Nondirective approach to help youth explore–Collaborative workshops

SEA HAVEN SHELTER HOME

• Maintains a nine licensed bed facility for runaway, homeless, at-risk youth ages 13-17

• Staff work 3-8hr shifts• Referrals come from the Department of

Juvenile Justice, Law Enforcement, Safe Place sites, schools, community, parents, and other agencies with knowledge of youth needing services.

Transitional Living Program

• Offers case management and life skills instruction for at-risk struggling youth ages 16-21.

• This program allows youth to move towards independence and self-sufficiency by achieving personal goals

• Combat Hunger

62% of homeless youth indicated that a member of their family let them know they were unwanted and are never reported missing by guardians.

Project Safe Place• Youth outreach program that

provides a safe haven and resources for youth in crisis.

• Youth get help fast with involvement from the community, partnerships with businesses, fire stations, schools and other community organizations.

• www.nationalsafeplace.org• 94 sites in Horry County

National Safe Place WeekHosted by Safe Place Sites

Find the Nearest Safe Place Site

2012/2013

Future Shelter Home280 Hwy 57, Little River SC 29566

• THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION

• SEA HAVEN PARKING LOT