The Youth Service Bureau is the only program in Humboldt County and one of the few in the nation serving runaway and homeless young people.

YSB is a division of Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA), a 501(c)(3) private community-based nonprofit organization established in 1980 to provide a wide range of services to low and moderate income residents of Humboldt County.

YSB has served more than 9,000 youth and their families since opening its doors in 1984. The need for YSB’s services in Humboldt County is huge, considering that on any given day there are 200 homeless youth between the ages of 10-17 in the county. YSB works with youth in extremely high-risk situations. Most have come from families with multiple problems including substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse.

There is a conscious effort by YSB’s management team to create a solid continuum of care that meets the needs of youth at every developmental step during the journey through adolescence into adulthood. YSB’s mission is “To inspire youth and families to recognize their strengths and power to live, learn, socialize and work in their community”.

With an unwavering commitment to the empowerment of youth, YSB provides the following services:

• Our House, a short-term emergency shelter program for youth age 10-17;
• The Launch Pad, transitional living program for youth age 16-21;
• RAVEN, a street outreach and drop-in program for homeless youth;
• 24-hour access to services through our Youth & Family Crisis Hotline;
• A mentoring program matching adult volunteers with young people in need of role models;
• Vocational guidance for teens through the Workforce Investment Act (Odyssey);
• Emancipation assistance;
• A thrift shop providing employment and additional revenues to support our programs.