Youth Services Bureau

YSB’s mission is, “To inspire youth and families to recognize their strengths and power to live, learn, socialize and work in their community.” Youth who access YSB services are homeless, fleeing abusive or dangerous situations, or experiencing severe family conflict. YSB provides a variety of services to support youth with addressing the challenges in their lives. YSB services include a 24-hour youth referral line, street outreach and drop-in services, temporary emergency shelter, and long term transitional housing. The Youth Service Bureau is the only program in Humboldt County, and one of the few in the nation, providing housing to runaway and homeless young people.

Our House Crisis Shelter was established in 1991 as our community recognized a need to offer services to prevent youth from entering the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems. Youth who call Our House for shelter services may be experiencing homelessness, severe family conflict or fleeing from an unhealthy living situation. Our House Shelter is a temporary housing program (maximum stay of 21 days) with the goal of family reunification. The majority of all sheltered youth return to their parent or guardian’s home after a brief intervention by YSB. If re-entering the home is not a possibility, then we help explore the next best option.

• 24-hour per day supervision
• Food, clothing, transportation
• Crisis intervention and family mediation
• Case management and aftercare services

• Youth must be between the ages of 12 to 18 years old,
• Youth agrees to shelter
• Youth is not actively drug or alcohol dependent
• Youth is non-violent or actively suicidal
• Youth is not on formal probation

The following will be assessed by the Hotline Worker:
 

• Obtain voluntary consent
• Suicide risk assessment
• Substance use assessment
• Assaultive behavior assessment
• Criminal record check

444-CARE (2273)

The Launch Pad is a long term (maximum stay of 21-months) transitional living program for homeless youth or youth who are fleeing unhealthy living situations between the ages of 18 to 22. The goal of the program is to assist youth and young adults in making the transition to self-sufficiency. Youth reside in a shared two bedroom or three bedroom apartment, 5 bedroom house, or YSB subsidized apartments. Apartments for youth under 18 are located in our main building, which has a staff person on duty 24-hours a day.

Program Philosophy: Launch Pad is a strength-based program. Staff are dedicated to forming partnerships with the residents, and supporting them in exploring their life goals. The staff work with the residents to create a safe environment which is non-judgmental, allowing them to make their own informed decisions.

Each  resident will receive comprehensive case management services. Residents, with assistance from staff, will have a Needs and Services Plan, which allows participants to focus their energy in order to create change in their lives.  

Areas of concentration:

• Education
• Employment 
• Psychological-Social
• Life Skills Education

Accessing the Program: Launch Pad is for youth who are experiencing homelessness or fleeing unhealthy living situations.

To qualify for TLP:
 

• Youth must be between the ages of 16 to 22
• Youth cannot be drug or alcohol dependent
• Youth cannot be actively suicidal
• Youth cannot be on formal probation
• Youth must voluntarily agree to be in TLP
• Legal Guardian must consent to TLP (if youth is under 18years old).

Call (707) 443-8322 to speak with a staff member about the Launch Pad or additional YSB services.
 

Transitional housing for youth emancipated from foster care or juvenile probation, ages 18-24 years old. Youth learn important life skills to prepare them for independence. 

The The Youth Service Bureau recognized the need for peer-based services within the youth and young adult community. Therefore, the Youth Service Bureau created a youth-led street outreach program called The RAVEN Project.

The mission of the RAVEN Project is to:

• Improve the mental and physical well-being of the youth
• Provide basic survival supplies
• Create a network of resources and referrals
• Support and advocate for the youth
• Provide positive role models
• And employ the at-risk youth within the area of Humboldt County!

 

Facebook Fan Page:

http://www.facebook.com/ravenproject
 

Redwood Community Action Agency-Youth Service Bureau’s RAVEN Project serves youth ages 10 –up to 22 on the street and through a drop-in center.  Your donation will help us continue our mission to improve the mental and physical well-being of the youth, provide basic survival supplies, provide resources and referrals, advocate for youth, provide positive role models and employ youth in Humboldt County.
 
We do not charge for our services.  We rely instead on grants and the generosity of our community to provide service to this vulnerable population.  We hope you will take a moment to make a donation on Giving Tuesday (or anytime) to RCAA-RAVEN, 904 G St., Eureka, CA 95501 or on the web at www.rcaa.org.  Please share our message with your family and friends.
Thank you for your support and belief in our youth!

The RAVEN Project Drop-in Center is housed in a small 1896 Victorian. Our address is 523 T Street, Eureka, CA. We are visible from US 101 North (5th St.). Our drop-in center is also a short walk from the 4th & S St. and 5th & U St. bus stops. 

The Drop-in center is open on:
MONDAY - SATURDAY 1:30 to 5:00

Drop-in provides youth an opportunity 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. Art supplies and opportunities for publication in RAVEN's youth-made zines are available.

Traveling in teams of two or three, Youth Educators and Street Outreach Workers take to the streets with resource materials, safer sex supplies, first-aid supplies, and toiletries, socks, and 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 is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
The Raven Outreach team rotates every other week going to Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna and McKinleyville; and then the following week they go to Hoopa and Southern Humboldt.

Queer Coffee House is held Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for ages 18 - 24 and on Thursdays 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 - 17. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Queer Coffee House is meeting virtually on Zoom. Go to the Raven Facebook page for more information and the Zoom address: Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ravenproject (link is external)

This is a fun and safe space for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. This group provides 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 addressed through movies, art, games, and participating in community events.