A new program that aims to reduce youth homelessness in Armstrong, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties is looking for volunteers to provide host homes.
The Bridge2Home program will connect youth ages 16-20 who are experiencing housing instability with volunteer host homes for temporary housing. The program is a newly-funded outreach of the Lehigh Valley agency Valley Youth House.
The program is in the process of recruiting families from the four participating counties and training them to temporarily house young people who are at risk of homelessness. Valley Youth House, in addition to doing background checks, will provide case management for youth to help them maintain stable housing once they leave the program. A 24-hour hotline will provide crisis support for host home families.
The youth may be living on the street, in shelters, in out-of-home care or other situations where youth are unstably or temporarily housed. In addition, the program may serve youth who are couch-surfing, i.e., living transiently with extended family or other adults.
Valley Youth House has hired Carol Dunlap as host home coordinator for the four counties. She can be reached by calling 412-742-7474 or by emailing: cdunlap@ValleyYouthHouse.org.
