Who Are Unaccompanied Homeless Youth & Young Adults?

Youth REACH MD is working to connect with the unaccompanied homeless youth and young adults in Maryland. But what does that mean? We may actually know these people. We may see them everyday at school, in a store or at work. We may not immediately recognize their situation.

– Young people under the age of 25 who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

– Homeless primarily due to family dysfunction and abuse, including rejection due to sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or disability; exiting the foster care or juvenile justice systems without skills or resources needed to live independently; and/or economic hardship

– UHYYA may “double up” or “couch surf” with friends, family, or strangers, or live on the streets or in other places not meant for human habitation, such as cars or abandoned buildings. They are at disproportionately high risk of mental, physical, and behavioral health problems; school dropout; suicide; crime victimization; sexual exploitation; unplanned pregnancy; unemployment; and delinquency.

Help us to help them. If you know someone, encourage them to attend a Youth REACH Event during the week of September 28 – October 5.

Spread the word about Youth REACH MD. #icount