Wind Youth Services

Over the past two weeks, Wind has made strategic changes as we operationalize plans around COVID-19. Implementing social distancing and increasing sanitizing practices were among the first steps we took to minimize risk among our primarily millennial population. Subsequently, we’ve put into place additional safeguards to protect our staff, volunteers, and youth. Wind has adjusted and restructured staff, work schedules, and work locations to accommodate the following programmatic changes: 

New Ways to Serve

Embracing the COVID-19 Task Force recommendations, we have changed in-person meetings between case managers and clients to virtual meetings. The online meeting format gives us the ability to maintain direct, one-on-one counseling and assistance. Each housing site has workspaces set up with computers and internet connection to allow youth to attend school online and have various virtual interactions. 

New Ways to Support

Historically, Wind’s shelter and housing programs have been structured for youth to work or attend school during the day, thus leaving housing sites empty and “closed” during those 6 – 8 hours. Due to schools and campuses closing and businesses minimizing employee hours, Wind will now have support staff to keep our housing and shelter programs open 24 hours. Operating hours will increase from 16-hour days to homes being available to shelter-in-place for youth around-the-clock.

New Ways to Protect 

Beginning March 20, Wind will be proactively implementing “Programming In-Place” at our XH, Common Ground, and TAY housing programs. Individuals who reside at a particular home will receive all programming at their respective locations to create service communities to support social distancing. Wind will be deploying a small “cadre” of service providers dedicated to a single housing unit. Each site will be a distinct community that will not interact or cross-pollinate with any other community. 

The Mission Continues

Wind will continue to provide breakfast and lunch and workshops at the Drop-In Center 7 days a week. Our doors will continue to open as long as we can maintain adequate staffing. Working on a slightly abbreviated schedule of 7 am – 3 pm, the Drop-In Center will be available to youth who are new to our system or who are currently experiencing homelessness. Youth who are enrolled in one of our housing programs or shelter or living in a stable environment will be expected to shelter-in-place and not visit the center for meals and programming. The adjusted hours and protocols should significantly lower the number of people in the center at one time and allow staff to maintain programming safely and effectively.  

Wind’s programs are functioning at full capacity, in addition to having an emergency shelter waiting list. As we do our part to operate safely, best practices and protocols will continue to evolve. Every day brings additional (and sometimes changing) news and recommendations from the government. Wind will continue to run our programs until local, state, and or federal health departments recommend otherwise.

Dear Friend of Wind Youth Services,

“You just gotta get over the hump.” Like Anthony, you have said those very words, or ones very similar, when facing a tough situation. Perhaps though, not a situation like Anthony’s.

As a child, Anthony’s Mom was homeless, his Dad was in prison. At seven years old, he was living at a children’s receiving home, and at 13 years old his Aunt and Uncle adopted him. Unfortunately, he was adopted into a home where he was regularly hit with a stick, suffering physical and mental abuse daily. At 18, he was kicked out and didn’t know what to do. “I didn’t know how to do anything, I was never taught how to drive, I didn’t have identification, I couldn’t get a job. I couch surfed, I slept in parks and under overpasses.”

Thankfully, while at the park, Anthony learned about Wind Youth Services. “Wind brought me a different perspective on life. I realized I could get over the hump.” Anthony came to the Wind Youth Center and began his journey. Wind’s shelter and housing programs provided the safety and security Anthony needed to begin his path to self-sufficiency.  He worked to obtain identification, a driver’s license, a job at Apple and his own apartment.

“It is really up to you. My job now is to help others.”

You can help youth like Anthony “get over the hump”.
Your support will allow Wind Youth Services to provide more than shelter.                                                                               

So far in 2018, your generosity has allowed Wind to serve over 2,400 youth.
Your help has enabled Wind Youth Services to assist more than 200 youth with
obtaining employment. You have continued to help make so many good things
happen at Wind Youth Services-from meals to showers to beds. Thank you.

Sadly, the numbers continue to grow. For many youth, like Anthony,
Wind is their chance at a better life, full of stability and independence.
Will you consider the youth Wind serves this holiday season?

Thank you for all you have done to support Wind Youth Services. Your donation changes lives.

In the spirit of the holidays,

Robynne Rose-Haymer
Executive Director

 

P.S. Just $100 provides a youth one night of shelter and case management – can you provide one night for teens like Anthony?

You may donate online at www.windyouth.org/donate.

 

 

 

 

We all have a cause about which we are passionate; one that is truly near and dear to our hearts.

Wind Youth Services is an unabashedly pro-youth agency in the Sacramento County that continues to grow with new developments as we position ourselves as innovators within the homeless services community. As a nonprofit dedicated to providing programs that offer tools and resources to help teens develop vital skills to break the cycle of homelessness, we are a group of passionate advocates for the young people with whom we work and depend on the generous donations of our community to continue to make changing strides.

This year, Wind will be moving into a new Youth Center at 815 S Street in Midtown, Sacramento, so we are hosting the Soiree onsite at the new location so everyone can get a sneak peek.  It should be a fabulous evening featuring delicious food along with local wines, beers and artisan spirits.

We invite you to join us for our annual Summer Soiree on Friday, July 27, 2018 from 6:00pm – 10:00pm as we raise funds to provide services for Sacramento’s youth experiencing homelessness. The Summer Soiree is currently the single largest, annual fundraising effort that Wind undertakes. Last year, we hosted 250 guests, and we plan to do the same this year as we feature Sacramento’s diverse cuisine, local wines, beers and artisanal spirits to benefit our growing youth population.

Thank you to our sponsors for allowing us to present this event! Click here for photos of last year’s fun!

Kimmy was 5 years old when she and her five sisters were taken from their abusive mother. Then at 16, her grandmother who had taken her in, passed away, leaving Kimmy nowhere to go. Years of intermittent homelessness has taken its toll on her. She has been beaten and raped, used methamphetamines, and spent time in jail.

In 2016, she came to Wind Youth Services. It has been a long road to stability for Kimmy. She has worked diligently with her case manager to stay clean and sober. She just interviewed for a job and received a Performance Partnership Pilots (P3) voucher for her own apartment.

Her dynamic personality made her the perfect choice for a modeling gig at Goodwill’s Sip, Style and Shop event on April 28.  “I love to try on clothes and just have fun with them,” says Kimmy. “Everyone was so nice and it made me feel good to have someone style just me!”

Kimmy was styled by several of the stylists and was beyond thrilled when Goodwill let her keep all the outfits! “I couldn’t believe it, I was wondering what I was going to wear on my job interview, and they said I could have the outfits. Then I had to choose what to wear for the first time!”

                                        

Kimmy is always anxious to help and loves to show her gratitude for all that our donors and staff at Wind do. On Big Day of Giving, Kimmy filmed a social media clip for Wind’s Facebook page, which definitely helped us raise nearly $22,000!

Stories like Kimmy’s are not unusual to hear. Many of the youth we see have experienced not just one, but multiple traumas. Your continued support on Big Day of Giving and throughout the year, allows Wind to give more youth, like Kimmy, the resources to become self-sufficient.

Sleeping bags are for camping trips and sleep-overs, not for living.

Every night in Sacramento, more than 400 children and young people do not sleep in a bed, but rather find refuge on a park bench, under a freeway or on a doorstep. Wind Youth Services provides food, shelter and lodging for as many of these homeless youth as we can.

Please consider a gift to Wind Youth Services this Thursday, May 3 for Sacramento’s Big Day of Giving. Beginning at 12:01am on May 3 and running through midnight, supporters can make an online donation to Wind, then encourage their social media networks to give – and share why you chose Wind Youth Services for a donation.

Big Day of Giving is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give—in the Sacramento community, in particular. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners—nonprofits, businesses and corporations as well as families and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in giving.

Inspired by our mission – to provide supportive services and opportunities to youth experiencing homelessness as they pursue self-determined lives of stability and independence – Wind Youth Services will be raising funds to change the lives of children, teens, and young adults (ages 12-24) who are in crisis, on the street and without a safe place to call home.

Last year, the Sacramento community generously donated nearly $30,000 to Wind and it is our hope that we can top the $30,000 mark this year. Please join us!

 

 

 

 

Dear Wind Supporter,

“I was probably 8 or 9 years old when I first remember hearing the angry voices of my parents; and the violence. It wasn’t unusual, I got used to it after a while and eventually my Dad left.  My Mom introduced my brother and me to needles when we were in junior high and we started using drugs and as a result became homeless,” says Jacob.

“When you arrive in a city you figure out where you can stay, and we heard about the Wind Center before we came to Sacramento. So as soon as we got off the bus here, we went to Wind. It was the first time we felt safe at a homeless center. And honestly, Wind saved our lives,” says Daniel.“We have traveled around California, staying at different homeless shelters. I have fallen asleep to people crying, yelling and fighting,” says Jacob.

Wind operates the only resource-intensive center dedicated to homeless young people. With nearly 1,000 youth visiting monthly, and at least 15% unduplicated, Wind provides a structured, age-appropriate, environment away from the dangers of the street.  For these adolescents, the daily schedule of the Center is their only exposure to a “normal” life.

Afraid and “hyper-vigilant,” the darkness of night is anything but restful to a homeless teenager. Here at the Center, young people are provided access to a “respite room” where they can sleep under the watchful eye of counselors. Teens are also provided a locker to secure their limited belongings, access to a kitchen, computer, shower and laundry facilities.

Once at the Center, counselors and staff members focus on the specific needs of each young person by assessing their health concerns, reviewing safe housing options, exploring education and job opportunities and ensuring they receive timely crisis management counseling.

The Wind Center is at the heart of what we do, and is the first contact with most of our youth. Can you help us continue to provide a safe place for Sacramento’s homeless youth? Your donation will provide more resources as the youth pursue self-determined lives of stability and independence; but more importantly a safe place of acceptance and love.

With gratitude,

Suzi Dotson, Executive Director

P.S. Daniel and Jacob’s story of violence and drugs is not unusual. Can you consider a donation to help youth like Daniel and Jacob realize their potential as healthy, successful, young adults?