SRN youth reside in our long-term transitional housing facility which offers food, cleanliness, safety, and rest. Housing includes (1) a fully-stocked kitchen and chef to prepare dinner; (2) access to water, electricity, and internet; (3) bedding, linens, pillows, and towels; (4) washing machines, dryers, and cleaning supplies; (5) personal hygiene products; and (5) reliable and safe adults (House Managers) at home at all times. Youth are permitted to live in the SRN house until they graduate high school and progress to a post-secondary education goal (vocational training, college, or military). At times, graduated youth temporarily return to SRN housing during breaks from post-secondary education.

SRN staff help youth enroll in Medicaid and Food Stamps. SRN schedules and transports youth to a Primary Care Physician and preventative medical care, including dental, vision, and mental health care with licensed professionals. SRN exercises the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to ensure youth access specialized educational services to address obstacles that impede their academic success. For example, unaccompanied homeless youth are guaranteed free public school transportation to and from school. 

SRN staff monitor academic progress including facilitating credit recovery and arranging tutoring. They also assist in completion of post-secondary school applications, as well as those for scholarships and financial aid. SRN staff coordinate SAT/ACT prep and testing, and organize vocational program and college tours. For students needing specialized academic services, SRN secures the appropriate Individualized Education Program (IEP) with the school district. With SRN’s support, students graduate high school and proceed to their self-determined post-secondary education goal which could include vocational training, college, or the military. SRN provides continued case management to SRN students through completion of a vocational certification, bachelors, or graduate degree.

Each student is matched with a personal one-on-one mentor, community volunteers offering advice, understanding, and encouragement. SRN mentors are trained in Social and Emotional Learning and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and agree to meet with their mentees in person weekly and communicate (via text, phone, email, or social media) daily. Youth also encounter the dedicated SRN staff. Mentors and SRN staff collectively serve as an advocate and consistent form of support, a resource that our youth did not have previously. SRN provides continued case management to youth through completion of their post-secondary goal, monitoring satisfactory academic progress and budgeting to ensure scholarship and financial aid retention. Unique from other programs, SRN youth remain in the program indefinitely, into young adulthood, accessing SRN to overcome any new barriers as they progress and mature.

SRN hosts representatives from financial institutions to introduce financial literacy — information on bank accounts, savings, retirement, credit cards, stocks, and bonds. At Junior Achievement’s Finance Park, youths practice managing careers and life expenses. SRN helps youth draft resumes and submit applications for part-time employment while in high school. Local businesses partner with SRN to employ SRN youth and provide on-the-job training. Staff guides youth through opening a bank account, budgeting, and saving at least 30% of their earned income. SRN staff helps with scholarship applications, financial aid, and work-study enrollment for post-secondary education to eliminate debt.

Youth participate in SRN’s after-school curriculum that instills prosocial skills and sustainable wellness practices. Youth attend Poetry, Book Club, Dale Carnegie, Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness & Meditation, Computer Proficiency, Etiquette, Healthy Relationships, Overcoming Obstacles, and Urban Farming. SRN organizes cultural outings (including museum visits, sporting events, and theater) and group volunteer service, fostering positive peer interactions and community-building.