The RAVEN Project

The RAVEN Project is a youth led, youth implemented street outreach program/drop-in center. The population RAVEN serves is youth up to age 21 whom are homeless, runaway, traveling, disenfranchised, street, or at risk. The free services provided include: weekly anonymous HIV testing, peer mediation/counseling, harm reduction education, job preparation assistance, social service application assistance, financial aid and school registration assistance, computer/internet use, phone use, showers, meals, laundry, used clothing, blankets/sleeping bags, safer sex supplies, bleach kits, first aid supplies, and basic hygienic material.

Drop-In Center

The RAVEN Project drop-in center is housed in a residential style building. Our address is 523 T Street, Eureka, CA. We are visible from US 101, the main thoroughfare through town. Our drop-in center is also within half a block from public transportation and local services.

Drop-in provides an opportunity for youth to check in with themselves regarding the status of their lives and current issues concerning their personal well-being. During drop-in youth may access our services and receive referrals for alternate assistance. The atmosphere in RAVEN is very neutral and enforces a "hate free zone". RAVEN supports all lifestyles and positive means of expression. Such things as art supplies and opportunities for publication in RAVEN's youth-made zines are available.

RAVEN employs youth from its target population. These Youth Educators perform their role as peers, modeling the positive outcome of becoming healthy and self-sufficient.

The RAVEN Project is open: Monday 5-9pm; Wednesday and Friday 12-5pm; and Sunday 1-5pm..

Street Outreach

Traveling in teams of two to three, Youth Educators and Street Outreach Workers take to the streets resource materials, safersex supplies, first-aid supplies, and toiletries. Each outreach also rotates bringing a selection of socks or snacks. This is the RAVEN Project's method of bringing the program to the youth in their environment.

Outreach provides RAVEN the opportunity to interact with individuals who cannot, or have not yet accessed services through the drop-in center. This method proves to be successful and is our main source of networking.

Street Outreach occurs during various times throughout the week. The current Outreach schedule is:

Arcata
Sunday 5:30-7:30pm
Monday 9-11am
Friday 3:30-5:30pm

Eureka
Monday 6-8pm
Tuesday 4-6pm
Wednesday 3:30-5:30pm
Thursday 12-2pm

County Wide (from Garberville to Hoopa to Orick and places in between)
Tuesday 10:30-2:30pm

Group

RAVEN facilitates various weekly groups specific to certain populations. At this present time the RAVEN groups are: Art Workshop, Queer Coffee House, Girl's Space, and Youth Drum Circle.

Art Workshop is held Tuesday 3:15-5:00pm at the Four Paths Gallery (1122 5th Street, Eureka between L and M). All youth up to age 24 are invited to receive free art instruction with the theme of self-exploration. Each week a new activity is led. Some projects are just for your personal enjoyment while others are donated for community events.

Queer Coffee House is held Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm at the RAVEN drop-in center. This group's target population is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. The group offers a space for youth to express themselves without fear of being "bashed". The goal of the group is to provide an environment in which youth can begin to become comfortable with their sexuality, practice initiating conversations about safer sex, receive health education information, and begin to love and respect themselves. These issues are addresssed through movies, art, games, and participating in community events.

Girl's Space is held Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm at the RAVEN drop-in center. This group's target population is young women who don't necessarily have a secure support system. The group offers a space for young women to discuss sensitive issues, practice effective communication, learn anger management strrategies, receive health education information and express themselves through arts and crafts.

Youth Drum Circle is held Wednesdays 7:00-8:00pm at the Arcata Service Center (501 9th St. Arcata, CA). This group provides a space for a physical therapeutic release and team building through rhythm and beats.

Staffing

The RAVEN Project recruits, hires, and trains a cadre of youth from the street population to serve as Youth Educators. Youth Educators provide first hand knowledge about realities of street life and insights into how to best provide services to local youth. Through the experiences and wisdom of the Youth Educators, the program is able to adjust and adapt for the changing needs of youth in this community.