The streets of Chicago are home to 10,000 young adults between the ages of 14 and 21. They are too old for foster homes, too young for homeless shelters and too troubled to return to their families. Because of the structure of the social service system, adolescent homeless are falling between the cracks.
I want to applaud the gutsy, grassroots efforts of The Night Ministry Youth Shelter Network. Their goal is to provide shelter and counseling to adolescent homeless at four shelters in the area: Lawndale, Lakeview, Logan Square and Englewood, and a new facility opening this fall on the Near North Side. To help reach out to Chicago`s diverse populations, the Night Ministry enlisted the help of Rainbow House/Arco Iris, Unity Shelter, Inc., New Moms, Inc. and the Illinois Caucus on Teenage Pregnancy.
While many of us talk about wanting to make a difference, the staff and volunteers of The Night Ministry are making one.