The Youth Empowerment Team (YET) - a program of the
San Francisco LGBT Community Center, formed in 2005 and consists of four youth
organizers; Tino Calenda, T, Chris Tyler and Jonathan Rodgers. Their goal is
to empower economically disadvantaged lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer,
questioning, heterosexual and intersex youth in San Francisco. YET has produced
a research report which is the first community assessment developed and implemented
by youth who have experienced homelessness, poverty and many other social challenges
and who continue to work together towards enacting change.
Through their research the YET uncovered that the 4 largest issues faced by youth are: the lack of affordable housing/homelessness, low paying jobs/income, substance use and access to education. Out of the over 100 youth they surveyed, 67% indicated that they are currently living on the streets, in shelters or transitional living houses and only 12% live in an apartment. Furthermore, 90% of youth surveyed reported that they do not feel safe and supported in youth shelters and/or transitional living programs.
In their second year of organizing, with additional funding, the YET is working towards establishing client-centered policies with shelters and housing programs in San Francisco, in order to create a more respectful and safe environment for youth. Also, the YET is advocating for viable exit strategies so that youth become more self-sufficient and work towards creating sustainable life styles.
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