What We Do at the Broadway Youth Center

Imani RupertDirector, Broadway Youth Center

THE SAFETY NET

• Who we serve• What we offer at BYC• Who we are• How we do what we do

Sources: thetaskforce.org | hrc.org | nationalhomeless.org | Chicago Public Schools

WHO WE SERVE

While only 10% of youth identify as LGBT

40% of LGBT

Only

250beds available

1.7 MillionAdolescents experience at least one episode of homelessness

1 IN 3 TransYouth

Will be turned away from shelters because of their gender identity

98.3% of the city’s homeless youth are children of color

There are

2,000 youth experience homelessness

Youth experience homelessness

In Chicago…

Our integrated approach to harm reduction includes:• Client-centered practices • Trauma-informed practices• Anti-oppressive frameworks

HARM REDUCTION

Drop-In• Food• Obtain basic supplies• Mail pick up• Phone calls/access to

voice mail• Provide space for respite• Laundry• Youth-led workshops• Counseling/Therapy

services

Resource advocacy• GED classes• Documentation support

• Birth certificates• State ID card• Name change• Gender marker change• Referrals for housing/shelter

• Support obtaining employment• Obtain clothing vouchers

Health services• Basic medical care• Benefits enrollment• HIV/STI testing & treatment• Counseling• Outreach tabling and testing• Health Ed.

Workshops/presentations

BYC SERVICES

MAKING A DIFFERENCEOur day-to-day impact:

Drop-In• 577 participants

Health/Medical• 1,811 medical visits• 100% linkage to care rate for all positive HIV/STI results

Resource Advocacy• 4,033 one-on-one sessions• At least 42 youth found more stable housing

BYC served as a warming station for youth during the cold• Providing extra hours of service• When CPS and HBHC is closed

Responsive support:

THE BYC TEAM

Kylon Hooks Manager

Maya Petitucci-CruzLead Worker

Benjamin HartDrop in worker

Adrianna CollisManager

Sadie BakerLead RA

Sarah DoaudRA

LaTonya MaleyManager

Edwin ErvinHealth Educator

Liz FrancoRegistered Nurse

Erica GaddyNurse Practitioner

Femmily RobisonHealth Educator

Drop-In Resource advocacy Health education & services

Carnesha JohnsonHealth Educator

Aiden HarringtonNurse Practitioner

Cassie WarrenBenefits counselor

Imani Rupert BYC Director

Zahara BassettBYC Receptionist

BYC Administration

Amy Nicole MillerAssociate Director

TBDGED Coordinator

A trampoline and a safety net, while serving different purposes, are similar. The difference between helping someone absorb a downward impact as opposed to propelling them upward is simply a tightening of existing systems.

At the BYC, we continue to tighten and strengthen the systems that help us do the work we do.

• Create stability• Nurture collaboration• Invest in staff

TRAMPOLINE

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

• Special use permit• New friends, neighbors, allies• Good neighbor agreement

• Special use permit• New friends, neighbors, allies• Permanent location

KEEPING OUR DOORS OPEN

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Nurture communication and collaboration with:

• Neighbors • Local government• Large funders and individual supporters• External community partners• Howard Brown

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training

• Provided for staff, interns volunteers & Peer Advocates• Trainings on harm reduction, trauma informed care, and transformative and restorative justice

FUTURE OF BYC

• Continue to create linkages to health care• Continue to connect youth to education outcomes• Continue to create interruptions to the results of poverty• Support a holistic approach to health care

THANK YOUFor you dedication to this life-saving work