New Agency to Serve Homeless Youth

Get-A-Life, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been granted 501(c)3 status as a non-profit charity from the IRS, making all donations to the organization tax-deductible.  Get-A-Life, Inc. (an acronym for Get an Education, Transition to Adulthood, Live Independently, and Find Employment) will serve young adults, age 16 - 24 who would otherwise be homeless.

Every year, StarkCounty releases about sixty 18-year olds from foster care and over 900 youth aged 16 and above from the juvenile attention facility.  Many of these young people have nowhere to go, no marketable skills, and no source of support.  Outcomes are often grim:

o        More than 1/3 have no high school diploma or GED.

o        Nearly half of the women are pregnant by age 19.

o       As many as 60% of homeless people have a foster care history.

o       25 - 30% of male former foster children end up incarcerated.

Studies have shown that the best way to improve the chances of a successful transition from state care to independence is to provide mentoring, shelter, educational and vocational support, counseling, and advocacy. The key components of the Get-A-Life program are:

o      Completion of at least a high-school education or GED.

o        Connection with an adult mentor.

o       Life skills training, including cleaning, cooking, money management, peer relationships, and community service.

o        Employment skills counseling and referrals.

o       Connection with mental health counseling resources.

o        Referrals to quality health care providers.

o       Supportive services, such as Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Planned Parenthood, and advocacy.

The agency will be funded initially by grants from sources targeting the reduction of homelessness, crime, unplanned pregnancy, mental illness, and substance abuse.  Each client will be required to pay 40% of his/her income for room and board.  In addition, each client will be required to place 10% of his/her income in savings.  Upon graduation from the program, the agency will provide the client with matching funds equal to his/her savings account balance.

With the receipt of its 501(c)3 designation, Get-A-Life, Inc. is ready to begin fundraising and seeking affordable space to lease.  One of our goals is to provide job skills training and employment for the clients through a number of internet-based businesses, whose profits will eventually be sufficient to fund the shelter's operations.  In the meantime, donations are welcome!