Young & Homeless in NYC

A recent study published by Convenant House , which operates shelters for young people, reveals the number of young and homeless in New York City has increased by one-third since last year. On any given night, approximately 3,800 young people are on the street.

[T]he study, one of the largest-ever examinations of young homeless people in New York, found that their future did not look much better — because they are dangerously isolated from mainstream channels of work, family life and basic schooling.

Forty-seven percent of the group said they had been disciplined physically before entering the shelter, 37 percent said they had been victims of physical abuse, and 19 percent had endured sexual abuse. Forty-one percent said they had witnessed violence in their homes.

The vast majority said they found it difficult or impossible to find a good job. Seventy-eight percent said they were unemployed when they entered the shelter. Among those who had jobs, 41 percent said those jobs were “off the books.”

Kevin M. Ryan, the president of Covenant House, a privately financed agency with facilities in 20 cities nationwide, including Philadelphia, Detroit, Newark and St. Louis, said he hoped the study alerted the public “to the growing crisis of homeless youth in New York City."

Want to help MYD make a difference in young people’s lives? Email Sarah Gudernatch, MYD’s Community Service Director .

Comments

2 Responses to “Young & Homeless in NYC”

1. Chris says:

   March 30, 2009 at 6:16 pm

   I remember on his drunken tirades, my father would be quick to tell off any homeless person asking for change. “Get a f**king job, you lazy bum”. As I got older and became more aware of my surroundings, I realized people would close their eyes and ignore the pleas of people on the train sharing their story and asking for any sort of help, be it a dime or a half eaten sandwich. I was taught that these people were inferior to the rest of us merely because they had made a few bad choices or had been victims of bad luck. Now that I am older, I realize these people are just that, people. They are entitled to every single right we are. All they need is a helping hand and someone willing to hear them talk.
2. Emmy says:

   March 31, 2009 at 11:11 pm

   Chris, thanks for posting your thoughts. I believe MYDers will be heading to Covenant House, which gives shelter and assistance to homeless youth, later this year. Stay tuned. This issue is one that is certainly exacerbated by the economic climate, so I’m sure they need all the help they can get.