Legacy HouseLegacy House

A program for Runaway and A program for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) in Berks Homeless Youth (RHY) in Berks

CountyCounty

Operated by Driven Ministries, Inc.Operated by Driven Ministries, Inc.

What we knowWhat we know

• 2006 - 737 calls to the NRS from callers in 2006 - 737 calls to the NRS from callers in the 610 area code.the 610 area code.

• 2007 - increased to 1,699 (+120%)2007 - increased to 1,699 (+120%)• 45 unaccompanied youth identified by Berks 45 unaccompanied youth identified by Berks

County School Districts (2007-2008)County School Districts (2007-2008)• 12 in one school year in one district12 in one school year in one district• The closest shelter Philadelphia or The closest shelter Philadelphia or

BethlehemBethlehem• No counseling servicesNo counseling services• No local “hotline”No local “hotline”

History of RHY services in History of RHY services in BerksBerks

• Trying to establish a shelter for 30+ Trying to establish a shelter for 30+ yearsyears

• Various organizations have looked at Various organizations have looked at thisthis

• Homeless Coalition Youth CommitteeHomeless Coalition Youth Committee

• Applied for RHY federal grant in 2005Applied for RHY federal grant in 2005

What we haveWhat we have

• Homeless Children’s Initiative – BCIUHomeless Children’s Initiative – BCIU– Liaisons in 18 districtsLiaisons in 18 districts– $$ for outreach and prevention $$ for outreach and prevention

programs provided by Drivenprograms provided by Driven

• Awarded $25,000 from United WayAwarded $25,000 from United Way

• Driven Ministries, Inc.Driven Ministries, Inc.

Who is Driven Ministries, Inc?Who is Driven Ministries, Inc?

• Non-profit, faith-based organizationNon-profit, faith-based organization

• Mission is to instill value, reveal Mission is to instill value, reveal purpose, and offer direction to youth purpose, and offer direction to youth and their familiesand their families

• Have made it part of mission to Have made it part of mission to establish services for RHYestablish services for RHY

AcceptAccept

PursuePursue

ValueValue

ChallengeChallenge

EncourageEncourage

EquipEquip

Students are loved unconditionally and met where they are, yet led to where they need to be.

Students are loved unconditionally and met where they are, yet led to where they need to be.We love and accept students unconditionally and meet them where they are, while leading them to where they need to be.

We love and accept students unconditionally and meet them where they are, while leading them to where they need to be.

We are unwavering in our desire to reach every student in order to make an impacting difference in their lives.

We are unwavering in our desire to reach every student in order to make an impacting difference in their lives.

We understand there is a tremendous significance to each life; and that life counts.

We understand there is a tremendous significance to each life; and that life counts.

We support students in their abilities and life’s calling and encourage them to be all they were created to be.

We support students in their abilities and life’s calling and encourage them to be all they were created to be.

We provide students with the tools needed to live the most productive and successful life possible

We provide students with the tools needed to live the most productive and successful life possible

We confront the hard issues and are not afraid to tell teenagers the truth about their lives, even though that truth may be hard to face.

We confront the hard issues and are not afraid to tell teenagers the truth about their lives, even though that truth may be hard to face.

Driven Core ValuesDriven Core Values

Driven Ministries, Inc Driven Ministries, Inc ServicesServices• Legacy House – RHY servicesLegacy House – RHY services

• Motivational speakingMotivational speaking

• Say What??? – support group for youthSay What??? – support group for youth

• Building Bridges – parenting classesBuilding Bridges – parenting classes

• Hand in Hand – parent support groupHand in Hand – parent support group• Parent/Teen Mediation – Parent/Teen Mediation – facilitated family facilitated family

meetingmeeting

• MERGE Parent/Teen Conference MERGE Parent/Teen Conference (potentially)(potentially)

Referral process for Referral process for Legacy House servicesLegacy House services

Community and schoolsCommunity and schools

Scope of the programScope of the program

• Berks County youth age 12-17 Berks County youth age 12-17

• Goal is to serve at least 45 youth in Goal is to serve at least 45 youth in 20092009

• Referrals from local homeless Referrals from local homeless education liaisonseducation liaisons

• Part time case manager will be hiredPart time case manager will be hired

What happens after a referral What happens after a referral is made?is made?

• Youth will be assessed for need for Youth will be assessed for need for housing (shelter or host home)housing (shelter or host home)

• Parents will be notified and consultedParents will be notified and consulted• Any indication of abuse will be reported to Any indication of abuse will be reported to

CYS immediatelyCYS immediately• Case management will assess family and Case management will assess family and

youth for ongoing services and make youth for ongoing services and make referralsreferrals

• Case management services for 30 days Case management services for 30 days following referralfollowing referral

Role of Local Homeless Role of Local Homeless Education LiaisonEducation Liaison• Provide referrals to the Legacy House Provide referrals to the Legacy House

program for RHY servicesprogram for RHY services• Work closely with Legacy House case Work closely with Legacy House case

manager to ensure education services manager to ensure education services during housing crisisduring housing crisis

• Coordinate with Bethany Children’s Home Coordinate with Bethany Children’s Home as needed to ensure continued education as needed to ensure continued education services for youthservices for youth

• Make referrals to Driven for RHY Make referrals to Driven for RHY prevention services as neededprevention services as needed

Future PlansFuture Plans

• Document need for RHY servicesDocument need for RHY services• Determine best way to serve this Determine best way to serve this

population moving forward (e.g. – population moving forward (e.g. – shelter vs. host home model, services shelter vs. host home model, services etc.)etc.)

• Apply for ongoing federal, state and Apply for ongoing federal, state and local grants for RHY prevention and local grants for RHY prevention and intervention servicesintervention services

• Expand services as neededExpand services as needed

Contact InformationContact Information

Melanie HollandMelanie Holland

Driven Ministries, Inc.Driven Ministries, Inc.

610-331-9572610-331-9572