Street Outreach

One of the most compelling programs at CAPTAIN is our Youth Street Outreach Program. It operates on the simple premise that positive, young role models can more successfully communicate with, and assist, high-risk youth by establishing relationships and trust on the very streets where youth congregate.

The Street Outreach Program assists youth who spend much of their time “on the streets” where there’s a high likelihood of being subjected to sexual exploitation, abuse, or violence. Many of the youth also have social, family and academic issues which prevent them from living healthy lifestyles. By offering outreach services to help these youth build positive relationships with caring adults they can trust, the program assists them in leaving the streets by finding and adjusting to safe living arrangements.

In order to help youth become independent, self-sufficient, contributing members of society, outreach services are delivered in high-profile areas where and when youth are known to congregate. These services include:

  • Street-based outreach and education
  • Crisis intervention
  • Access to emergency shelter
  • Basic survival tools (clothing, food, hygiene supplies)
  • Advocacy
  • Referrals to needed medical services
  • Assistance with transportation
  • Referrals to sexual assault and crisis rape relief counseling
  • Referrals to drug and alcohol counseling
  • Individual assessments and case managements
  • Relationship building with trustworthy adults
  • Coordination with community partners such as schools and law enforcement
  • Assistance in finding housing and employment
  • Referrals to family counseling
  • Educational and skill-building opportunities
  • Follow-up support

Through these outreach efforts, CAPTAIN offers youth resources to help them break dysfunctional cycles that keep them street dependent. Youth become less vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse, have fewer arrests related to substance abuse and/or violent behavior and increase their ability to trust others. They set healthier boundaries, which promote their acceptance of counseling, shelter, and other supports.

These services very often lead to family resolution and allow street youth to cease reliving past traumas and start living healthy, productive lives.