Youth Initiative


Youth Initiative YALC Application photo

Young Adult Leadership Committee

The Young Adult Leadership Committee (YALC) was created out of the Office of Homeless Services Continuum of Care Board to advise on improving the system for youth. The committee focuses on goals and projects to prevent and end youth homelessness, comprising young adults with lived experience of homelessness.

Youth Access Points

Youth Initiative Youth Access Points Flyer

Youth access points are youth-specific locations where young adults ages 18-24 in Philadelphia experiencing homelessness can access resources within the homeless assistance system. Operated by Valley Youth House, part of our homeless assistance system.

Download the Youth Access Points Flyer

View the report shown in the photos below.

 Youth Initiative YALC 2017 Highlights and 2018 GoalsYouth Initiative YALC 2017 Highlights and 2018 Goals

Philadelphia Youth Homelessness Needs Assessment

April 2018
Jessica Sones, MSW Youth System Coordinator

This assessment analyzes the current needs and resources for youth experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia, identifying service gaps and proposing solutions based on data gathered over two years.

Read the Report


Youth Initiative Vital Documents Toolkit 1

Philly Homes 4 Youth Coalition

A coalition of individuals from over 30 public and private youth-serving organizations and young people with experience of homelessness. Their goal is to end youth homelessness in Philadelphia.


Vital Documents Toolkit 2

Local Information and Action – Voices of Youth Count 2017

This forum on Youth Homelessness was conducted by the Office of Homeless Services, Philly Homes 4 Youth Coalition, and the Young Adult Leadership Committee. It included a panel discussion on the Voices of Youth Count report on youth homelessness in Philadelphia.

Voices of Youth Count Reports

September 2017, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

Click on the image below to download the report.

 Philadelphia County VoYC Report Cover

Forum on Youth Homelessness

November 28, 2017

Remarks from Liz Hersh, Director, Office of Homeless Services: “We are here today to listen to the Voices of Youth and ensure their voices count…”

Panelists: Joseph Hill-Coles, Libby Mathewson, Jessica Sones, Liam Spady

Read More: Bleak Statistics, Hopeful Discussion at Philadelphia Forum on Homeless Youth

Philly Homes 4 Youth Coalition (100 Day Challenge Continuation)

This coalition of over 30 youth-serving organizations evolved from the 100 Day Challenge, focusing on ending youth homelessness in Philadelphia.

Philly Homes 4 Youth Collaborative
Housing for Youth Collaborative
25 new crisis beds for 150 youth annually 25 rapid re-housing beds with rental assistance Job training for 75 youth
Navigator services for 120 youth Counseling and support for 55 youth LGBTQ competency training for providers