Offering a helping hand to those in need. - The Night Ministry

Open Door Youth Shelters
West Town
Our 120-Day Interim Program offers a haven to homeless
youth between the ages of 14-20, and their children. The
Case Managers help them work at rebuilding their lives
and becoming self sufficient. Because each youth is
different, the staff tailor the services provided based on
the needs of each particular client. Through the dedication
and support of the Open Door Shelter Case Managers
and Youth Workers, 210 clients and their children were
provided the opportunities to return to school, obtain
gainful employment, and secure stable housing.
Our Transitional Living Program is an 8-Bed program
that offers youth a more comprehensive longer term
program to gain further independence and stability.
The youth worked with their Case Managers to gain life
skills, return to school, secure stable employment, and
housing for their future, thus helping eliminate the cycle
of poverty.
Open Door Resident Christopher T. proudly shows his first-time
voter registration.
homeless youth activism group that provides homeless
or formerly homeless youth a creative and productive
outlet to share with the community their experiences as
homeless youth.
Lakeview
Our Open Door Youth Shelter in Lakeview is dedicated
solely to our 8-Bed Response-Ability Pregnant & Parenting
Program. The only shelter for homeless pregnant and
parenting teens, our clients are provided supportive
services to strengthen and stabilize family support
systems, reduce subsequent pregnancies, keep teens in
school, improve parenting skills, and increase the safety
and stability of their living situations. After an intensive
intake process, the Case Managers help clients to rebuild
self-esteem and create a healthier environment for
themselves and their children. Young mothers in the
community are also provided case management services
as they work to maintain their housing. During Fiscal Year
2008, 190 mothers and their children were served by this
program.
Other Youth Services
Though our resources are limited, we work to assist
as many homeless and at-risk youth as possible. The
Youth Outreach Team operates a Drop-In program at
the Broadway Youth Center in collaboration with other
nonprofit organizations, providing counseling, referral
services, and group support. The Broadway Youth Center
is also the meeting place for H.E.L.L.O., the country’s oldest
3
Our Continuing Care Program provides positive
reinforcement for at-risk and formerly homeless youth
clients through referrals, job and life skills coaching, and
other resources.
Volunteers
The volunteers at The Night Ministry are a vital component
of our mission. From the board members to the elementary
students packing hygiene kits for our Health Outreach
Bus, we are grateful for the kindness, compassion, and
dedication of every one of our volunteers. In fiscal 2008,
2,938 volunteers spent 20,144 hours valued at $393,006
and served 82,200 meals to our clients on the nighttime
streets. An additional 86 volunteers provided 800 hours
of professional services to The Night Ministry.
“The difference between
a helping hand and an
outstretched palm is a twist
of the wrist.”
~Laurence Leamer