Youth Services Bureau
Youth Service Bureau
Youth Service Bureau's (YSB) 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, long term transitional housing and security deposit and rental subsidies.
YSB Youth Shelter
The YSB Crisis Shelter was established in 1991 as our community recognized a need to offer services to prevent youth from entering the streets or Juvenile Justice & Child Welfare Systems. Referrals to the YSB youth shelter are for youth between 12-17 who may be experiencing homelessness, severe family conflict or fleeing from an unhealthy living situation. The YSB Shelter is a temporary housing program with length of stay determined day to day. Referrals to YSB typically come from law enforcement, teachers, counselors, social workers, family members, the youth themselves, friends of the youth and anyone else in the community who is aware of a kid who may need help.
Services
- 24-hour per day supervision
- Private or shared bedroom
- Food, clothing, transportation (including for school)
- Crisis intervention and family mediation
- Case management and aftercare services
Eligibility
- Youth must be between the ages of 12 to 17 years old
- Youth agree to shelter
- Youth is not actively drug or alcohol dependent
- Youth is non-violent or actively suicidal
- Youth is not on formal probation
Entrance Procedures
- Obtain voluntary consent
- Suicide risk assessment
- Substance use assessment
- Assaultive behavior assessment
- Criminal record check
Transitional Living
The Launch Pad transitional living program (TLP) 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 16 to under 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, five bedroom house, or YSB subsidized apartments. Apartments for youth under 18 are in our main building, which has a staff person on duty 24-hours a day.
Program Philosophy: Launch Pad (TLP) 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.
Case Management Services
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:
- Housing
- Education
- Employment
- Psychological-Social
- Life Skills Education
How to Qualify
To qualify for TLP:
- Youth must be between the ages of 16 to under 22
- Youth cannot be drug or alcohol dependent
- Youth cannot be actively suicidal
- Youth cannot be on formal probation (if under 18)
- Youth must voluntarily agree to be in TLP
- Legal Guardian must consent to TLP (if youth is under 18 years old)
Call (707) 443-8322 ext. 206 or 205 to speak with a staff member about the transitional living program Launch Pad or additional YSB services.
Transitional Housing Programs for Foster Youth
YSB's Subsidized Housing
The Turner House
The RAVEN Project
The Youth Service Bureau recognized the need for peer-based services within the youth and young adult community who are living on the streets or lack stable housing. Therefore, the Youth Service Bureau created a youth-led drop-in center 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 (including housing)
- Support and advocate for the youth
- Provide positive role models
- And employ at-risk youth within the area of Humboldt County!
Drop-in Center
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:
Tuesday - Friday 2:00 to 6:00
During drop-in, youth have access to case management as well as food, clothing, showers, computers, peer support, housing referrals and social groups. The atmosphere at 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.
Youth Outreach
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, toiletries, socks, and snacks. This is the RAVEN Project's method of bringing the program to the youth in their environment.
Outreach provides the RAVEN Project the opportunity to interact with individuals who cannot or have not yet accessed services through the drop-in center.
Youth Groups
Cooking and Life Skills
Tuesdays from 5-5:50 p.m.
Peer Support
Wednesdays 5-5:50 p.m.
Art and Music
Thursdays 5-5:50 p.m.
Game Night
Fridays 5-5:50 p.m.
Staffing
The RAVEN Project recruits, hires, and trains youth from the street/homeless population to serve as Youth Educators. Youth Educators provide firsthand knowledge about the realities of street life and insights into how to best provide services to local youth. The RAVEN Project is staffed with a Program Coordinator, Case Worker, and Youth Educators under the title of Raven Assistants.
RAVEN Phone: (707) 443-7099 Address 523 “T” St Eureka, CA
Donations
Redwood Community Action Agency-Youth Service Bureau’s services are free of charge. YSB relies on grants and the generosity of our community to provide services and supplies to this vulnerable population.
Monetary donations can be made directly to the RCAA Youth Service Bureau. You may donate directly to RCAA Youth Service Bureau by clicking on the donate button below and selecting "Youth Service Bureau" in the "use this donation for" section or by mailing a check or money order to: RCAA Youth Service Bureau, 904 G Street, Eureka, CA 95501; you may also deliver donations to this address. RCAA will be happy to provide you with your donation receipt and recognize your contribution, or you may choose to remain anonymous. All donations are tax-deductible (RCAA's non-profit Tax ID is 94-2646370).
If you want to make donations such as toiletries, clothes, tampons/pads, art supplies, etc. to YSB’s Raven Project, please call (707) 443-7099 beforehand to ensure they can accept donations.