About Us
Mission Statement
The mission of the 6th Street Center is to provide a safe place where youth experiencing homelessness can acquire the skills, resources and opportunity they need to transition into healthy independent living and adulthood.
History
The 6th Street Center for Youth opened in 2008 as a MHSA funded collaboration between Youth For Change and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Task Force. The 6th Street Center provides services to youth ages 14-24 that are homeless, marginally housed or runaways.
Youth Speak Out
Youth Stories
We believe in modeling healthy behavior and relationships, encouraging productive activities, providing access to needed resources and imparting the knowledge that each youth is valued and capable of accomplishing their goals.
What We Offer
BASIC NEEDS
- Showers
- Laundry Facility
- Hot Meals
- Clothing
- Mail, Telephone, and Computer Services
- Hygiene Supplies
- Lockers
- ID/Birth Certificate Obtainment
- Limited Transportation Assistance
SKILLS & RESOURCES
- Family Reunification/Relocation Assistance
- Counseling
- Crisis Intervention
- Pregnancy/STD testing
- Birth Control Education
- GED Preparation
- Help obtaining MediCal, Cal Fresh & other benefits
- School Enrollment & Tutoring
- Employment Readiness Skills
- Money Management Skills
- Life Skills Groups
- Special events and field trips
- Medical and Psychiatric referral
- Housing, Legal and Substance Abuse Referral
- Parenting Resources
Youth Homelessness
Youth homelessness may not be an issue that everyone is aware of. This is not a new phenomenon, congress passed the Runaway Youth Act in 1974 which authorized funding for youth shelters across the country. In 1980 the name of the act was changed to The Runaway Homeless Youth Act. In the United States over the course of a year 1 in 10 young adults ages 18-25, and at least one in 30 adolescents ages 13-17, experience some form of homelessness unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. [1]
Rural youth homelessness is just as prevalent as homelessness in urban areas. However, in rural areas, youth experiences of homelessness are more likely to be hidden, and these youth face unique challenges accessing education, jobs, services, and support. [2]
California has the highest number of homeless youth in the country with 5% of students experiencing homeless versus 2% nationally. Nationally 40% of homeless and runaway youth identify as LBGTQ, with family rejection being a contributing factor to their homelessness.
Butte County has both rural and urban areas, so youth homelessness looks different in different parts of the county. 6th Street Center for Youth and HEART strive to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate services to all homeless and runaway youth in Butte County, in order to make a lasting impact and end youth homelessness.
[1] Chapin Hall Missed Opportunities National Estimate
[2] Chapin Hall Missed Opportunities National Estimate
Our Programs
HOUSING
JOB STEPS
DROP-IN SERVICES
H.E.A.R.T.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Read updates about 6th Street Center, featured articles, and public events. If you have any news, events, stories, or photographs of your own that you think would be of interest to others, please let us know.