SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT!

The City of Portland is declaring a Severe Weather Alert for Wednesday January 6th. Temperatures are expected to drop to 32°F with winds of 15 mph in the early morning (4am). No precipitation is expected, but wind chills will be hazardous. This means no one seeking shelter will be turned away tonight. TB cards will be waived due to expected freezing conditions. Please note location of Red Cross Severe Weather Warming Center below. The Winter Shelter Hotline is also available to help you during severe weather. The hotline is available Monday-Friday 8am to 10pm & weekends 10am to 10pm.

211 Winter Shelter Hotline: (503) 721-1500

RED CROSS EMERGENCY WARMING CENTER

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor)
TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes

FOR YOUTH UNDER 24

Janus Youth Programs operates both crisis and short-term shelter year-round. There is often room in the crisis shelter so please refer male, female and transgender youth who are under 24 to the Access Center to determine eligibility. The Access Center is available everyday of the year from 8:30am until 6:30pm: (503)432-3986. After 8:30pm, youth can contact the Janus shelters directly at (503) 222-5933. Janus Youth Shelters are located at located at 1635 SW Alder, Portland. Youth and Young Adults, age 18 and older, are also welcome at the Adult Shelters, including the Severe Weather Shelter Sites for Adults (see below).

FOR FAMILIES

FAMILY WINTER WARMING CENTER:
1435 NE 81st Street (behind the former Elmers restaurant at NE 82nd and Halsey, just off of the NE 82nd Max Line stop). Available seven nights a week throughout winter season 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site. For families with children under 18.).

ADULT WARMING CENTER

Check in at Transition Projects, 475 NW Glisan, between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to reserve a space for the night.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 8:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Single men, single women, couples without children, separate sleeping areas for men and women.

WOMEN ONLY:

Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES)
Ankeny Entry at Harbor Light Site (2nd and Burnside) (503) 731-3942. Space for 12 additional single women via mats on the floor in the day space during severe weather. Day space open 7am to 11pm daily. Shelter open 7:45pm to 7:00 am daily. No pets or carts. Not disability accessible due to steep stairs.

MEN ONLY:

City Team Ministries
526 SE Grand Avenue (503) 231-9334. Space for 10 additional single men via mats on the floor in the main room during severe weather. May also be open during the days during severe weather. Typically there is a $ 4 per night charge, which includes sleeping space and a meal. No pets, and limited space for belongings. Accessible location

Portland Rescue Mission
111 W. Burnside (503) 227-0859. Space for 70 additional single men via mats on the floor in the lobby, may also be open during the days during severe weather. No pets, and limited space for belongings. Accessible location.

In addition to the above overnight shelter resources, the below providers will open day center space on Sunday, December 6th for individuals.

DayWatch
522 SW 13th, Portland, 503-916-4009
Provides coffee, snacks
Hours: 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Serves: Adults

Salvation Army Harbor Light
SW 2nd and Ankeny, 503-239-1259
Provides seating and hot beverages
Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Serves: Men, up 70 people

Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES)
11 NW 5th, 503-227-0810
Basic services.
Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Serves: Women

Thanks Produce Row!

We'd like to send a warm New Year's THANK YOU to our friends at Produce Row Cafe! For the past three years Produce Row has generously prepared two HUGE 24" sandwiches for Janus Youth's Outreach & Engagement stationary outreach program. Every week these delicious sandwiches are served to as many as 50 young people experiencing homelessness here in Portland. Most weeks the food is devoured by our hungry and very appreciative drop-in guests within thirty minutes! On behalf of our outreach workers and the young people who visit our program, we wish to say THANK YOU to everyone at Produce Row Cafe! Your consistent food contributions make a huge difference in the lives of young people. Please drop by Produce Row Cafe and enjoy a meal (and a pint!) at their cozy inner-southeast location near the train tracks. Tell them Yellow Brick Road sent you!

Produce Row Cafe
204 SE Oak St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-8355

YBR SOCK DRIVE AT WHITE EAGLE TONIGHT!

Please join us TONIGHT December 22 at McMenamin's White Eagle for a very special musical event and SOCK DRIVE for Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach! Beyond contributing to a great cause, you'll enjoy an evening of great earth fusion hip-hop hosted by Marv Ellis and his band the Platform, Unkle Nancy, NRG and other local artists. This will be a very special event full of art, music, raffles, friendly people, good food and the White Eagle's special atmosphere (and incredible heating system and outdoor fire pit!). Please bring new socks to donate. We hear Goodwill is selling NEW winter socks for only $1.30 per pair!

Tuesday December 22
8:30pm
McMenamin's White Eagle
836 N. Russell St.
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 282-6810

BRING SOCKS!

Annual Homeless Memorial in Portland TONIGHT!

Please join us this evening as we remember those lost to the streets this year. We will gather for a candlelight vigil at Outside In's courtyard from 4pm-6p. The shortest day of the year is a wonderful time to gather together and herald the light of HOPE.

Empowering Our Homeless Citizens To Stay Safe and Warm This Winter

Winter brings unique challenges to those who sleep outdoors. In addition to the emotional and psychological trauma of homelessness, the change in climate and precipitation creates immediate medical hazards for our most vulnerable citizens. Janus Youth Programs has responded to these challenges by working closely with the City of Portland and Multnomah County to develop and implement a strategic multi-agency response to inclement weather. In the past 4 years, Yellow Brick Road and PDX: Outreach & Engagement have become instrumental components of the City’s Winter Season & Severe Weather safety planning for the homeless.

Every night our amazing YBR volunteers, Project Metamorphosis staff and O&E Outreach Specialists are on the streets disseminating critical information and resources to the people who need them most. Our outreach teams are often the first point of contact for homeless folks who, for various reasons, may be hesitant to access services and other outlets for important weather information. The Yellow Brick Road blog is also a great community resource that volunteers, concerned citizens and people experiencing homelessness can access for free online. The blog maintains accurate and up-to-date information regarding resources during Severe Weather. Additionally, Janus operates transportation for people experiencing difficulty getting to a warm safe space during severe weather. This service can often be dispatched from the streets by Yellow Brick Road and O&E outreach teams who encounter people in need.

An excellent example of the fluidity of this safety planning occurred just this past week when the City of Portland declared 7 consecutive nights of Severe Weather due to temperatures below 22 degrees and expected freezing rain conditions. The Friday night Yellow Brick Road team encountered two young boys under the Burnside Bridge at 9:15pm. By that time the temperature was hovering just above 24 degrees. The boys, 16 and 17 years old, were buried under layers of blankets and huddled closely together to stay warm. They were dirty, cold and tired. Through a coordinated effort we were able to dialogue with Harry’s Mother, Janus Youth Programs' 24 hour Runaway Youth Services, about their options. Within twenty minutes the team had consulted with an outreach supervisor who was able to arrive at the scene with the Yellow Brick Road van and transport the boys to a Warming Center. They were able to leave behind the dozens of rain-soaked blankets that had been providing some tiny modicum of warmth as the temperature began to drop that night. The following morning Janus coordinated with the boys via information shared through the outreach teams and it was determined that they were indeed eligible for full Homeless Youth Continuum services! Both boys are warm and safe tonight as a direct result of Janus' Street Outreach Program’s dedication and preparedness. The boys will be provided with a broad array of services tailored to their developmental needs and it is our hope that they will soon bid farewell to the cold, wet streets forever.

In October 2008 Yellow Brick Road and PDX: O&E helped conduct Portland’s first Vulnerability Index Survey to assess the medical vulnerability of our street-affected population. For a city with relatively mild seasons and a generally friendly atmosphere, the findings were disturbing in several critical areas:

• Portland has a 12% higher rate of tri-morbidity than other larger cities that conducted the same survey, most notably New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles. Tri-morbidity is defined as a chronic medical condition in combination with mental health disorder and substance abuse.

• Portland’s overall “medically vulnerable” population is 5% higher than other cities that conducted the same survey. Remember, the other cities include New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles’ notorious “Skid Row”.

• 30 people under the age of 25 fit the definition of “medically vulnerable” (much higher per capita than other cities).

• Portland has a 10% higher rate of violent attacks on homeless individuals than other cities that conducted the same survey.

• 29% of the homeless people surveyed said they had foster care involvement at some point during their lives, a much higher rate than the other cities that conducted the same survey (most other cities were around 9%).

• 45% of the Native American population fell under the vulnerable definition (a markedly disproportionate rate when compared to other races & ethnicities).

As we bundle up this holiday season and gather with friends and family, I urge you to consider the lives of young people experiencing homelessness in our own neighborhoods and communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING WINTER SHELTER AND SEVERE WEATHER RESOURCES PLEASE CONTACT 211info WINTER SHELTER HOTLINE:
(503) 721-1500

The hotline available Monday through Friday 8am-10pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am-10pm

WARMING CENTERS NOW CLOSED!

The City of Portland has ended the Severe Weather Alert as of 7am Sunday morning December 13th. That means ALL EMERGENCY WARMING CENTERS ARE NOW CLOSED. This does not impact the regular Winter Shelters. For more information about available shelters please contact 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 Monday-Friday between 8:00AM and 10:00PM and Saturday & Sunday 10am-10pm.

Severe Weather in affect for Saturday 12/12!

Just to reiterate: The City of Portland has extended the Severe Weather Alert through Saturday night, 12/12. The National Weather Service still predicts possible snow and/or freezing rain for Saturday evening. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather extended through Saturday night 12/12

The City of Portland has extended the Severe Weather Alert through Saturday night, 12/12. The National Weather Service predicts a possible 2-4 inches of snow and/or freezing rain Friday night into Saturday evening. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather extended through Wednesday 12/9!

The City of Portland has extended the Severe Weather Alert through Wednesday night, 12/9/09. The National Weather Service predicts some slight warming after Wednesday night so the warming centers will likely close on Thursday morning. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather Alert extended for Monday December 7th!

The City of Portland has extended the weekend's Severe Weather Alert through Monday night, 12/7/09. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures on Monday evening to drop to 20°F to 24°F with winds of 14-17 mph. Little precipitation is expected, but wind chills will be hazardous. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather called for December 5th & 6th!

The City of Portland is declaring a Severe Weather Alert for the following nights: Saturday and Sunday December 5th-6thth. This means no one seeking shelter will be turned away this weekend. TB cards will be waived due to expected freezing conditions. Please note location of Red Cross Severe Weather Warming Center below. The location of the Red Cross Warming Center will be different on Saturday night versus Sunday night. If you are homeless, we hope this info will help you navigate these services a bit easier. If you are not homeless, we hope you will consider contacting one of these agencies to offer volunteer support. Many of these severe weather shelters are made possible by Red Cross volunteers and other support from the community. The Winter Shelter Hotline is also available to help you during severe weather. The hotline is available Monday-Friday 8am to 10pm & weekends 10am to 10pm.

211 Winter Shelter Hotline: (503) 721-1500

FOR YOUTH UNDER 24

Janus Youth Programs operates both crisis and short-term shelter year-round. There is often room in the crisis shelter so please refer male, female and transgender youth who are under 24 to the Access Center to determine eligibility. The Access Center is available everyday of the year from 8:30am until 6:30pm: (503)432-3986. After 8:30pm, youth can contact the Janus shelters directly at (503) 222-5933. Janus Youth Shelters are located at located at 1635 SW Alder, Portland. Youth and Young Adults, age 18 and older, are also welcome at the Adult Shelters, including the Severe Weather Shelter Sites for Adults (see below).

FOR FAMILIES

FAMILY WINTER WARMING CENTER:
1435 NE 81st Street (behind the former Elmers restaurant at NE 82nd and Halsey, just off of the NE 82nd Max Line stop). Available seven nights a week throughout winter season 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site. For families with children under 18.).

ADULT WARMING CENTER:

Check in at Transition Projects, 475 NW Glisan, between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to reserve a space for the night.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 8:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Single men, single women, couples without children, separate sleeping areas for men and women

For the night of SATURDAY, December 5th only:
Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
Lents Seventh Day Adventist Church
8835 SE Woodstock, (near SE 88th and Foster)
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor)

TriMet Routes: Four blocks west of the Lents/SE Foster stop on the Max Green Line; 1 block west of the SE Foster & 89th stop for the #14 bus

For the night of SUNDAY, December 6th only:
Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor)

TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes

WOMEN ONLY:

Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES)
Ankeny Entry at Harbor Light Site (2nd and Burnside) (503) 731-3942. Space for 12 additional single women via mats on the floor in the day space during severe weather. Day space open 7am to 11pm daily. Shelter open 7:45pm to 7:00 am daily. No pets or carts. Not disability accessible due to steep stairs.

MEN ONLY:

City Team Ministries
526 SE Grand Avenue (503) 231-9334. Space for 10 additional single men via mats on the floor in the main room during severe weather. May also be open during the days during severe weather. Typically there is a $ 4 per night charge, which includes sleeping space and a meal. No pets, and limited space for belongings. Accessible location

Portland Rescue Mission
111 W. Burnside (503) 227-0859. Space for 70 additional single men via mats on the floor in the lobby, may also be open during the days during severe weather. No pets, and limited space for belongings. Accessible location.

In addition to the above overnight shelter resources, the below providers will open day center space on Sunday, December 6th for individuals.

DayWatch
522 SW 13th, Portland, 503-916-4009
Provides coffee, snacks
Hours: 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Serves: Adults

Salvation Army Harbor Light
SW 2nd and Ankeny, 503-239-1259
Provides seating and hot beverages
Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Serves: Men, up 70 people

Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES)
11 NW 5th, 503-227-0810
Basic services.
Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Serves: Women

SUPPORT STREET ROOTS!

Street Roots newspaper has long supported Janus Youth Programs' work to improve the lives of homeless and high-risk young people. They provide a media voice for the voiceless and boldly advocate for our city's most marginalized citizens. Unfortunately the economic slump has impacted their services and it's time to show your support! Now is a great time to consider making a donation to Street Roots through Willamette Week's annual Give! Guide site. Just click here and look for Street Roots under the 'community' listing. While you're there, check out all the other great agencies that could benefit from your support. It only takes $10 to make a difference. And you might even be elligible for some really great incentives!

YBR TRAINING EVENT NEXT SUNDAY!

FREE TRAINING!
Sunday November 22
2pm-6pm

PORTLAND YOUTH GANGS & GANG INTERVENTION!

Join us for our upcoming Yellow Brick Road Training! The training is free and open to the public but seating is limited. We’ll be learning about Winter Shelter Services that recently opened in Portland and discussing the culture of youth gangs! Discussion will include a brief history of local gangs, how they recruit, why they are so attractive to young people, and how we might better understand the gang “lifestyle” so as to become more effective youth advocates. We’ll have a guest Gang Outreach Specialist with us and the training will be followed by a screening of CRIPS & BLOODS: MADE IN AMERICA, a powerful new documentary that explores the history of two of the largest and most notorious African-American gangs in the U.S.. Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you all there!

Please R.S.V.P. for location at dlundberg@janusyouth.org

Yellow Brick Road on National Public Radio!

Oregon Public Broadcast's Think Out Loud has been covering issues of homelessness recently and tomorrow morning's show will focus on youth homelessness in the Northwest. They will be interviewing young people who are experiencing homelessness and Yellow Brick Road Supervisor Dennis Lundberg will be on air to address youth homelessness from an outreach perspective. Think Out Loud is the "radio show that listens" so call in and voice your own opinion! Your voice can make a difference!

Think Out Loud
91.5fm
Tuesday November 10
9am-10am
Call In: 888-665-5TOL (or 665-5865)

YBR BENEFIT!

The leaves are falling and the smell of woodsmoke is in the air. Autumn is well upon us and winter is soon on the way. For people living outdoors this means it's time to hunker down and try to stay warm with sparse possessions. And YOU can help! Our friends at New Seasons have organized a night of special entertainment to raise awareness of homelessness & poverty in the community. The event takes place Saturday November 7th at Liberty Hall (near Emmanual Hospital in North Portland) and they're asking everyone to bring warm gear to be distributed to the homeless by Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach Teams. We are in need of warm hats, gloves, scarves, and wool socks to help clothe the homeless this cold season. Adult sizes and dark colors are preferred. We invite you to join us for this great event and enjoy the mind-expanding sounds of El and special guests! You can make a difference in the lives of people living outdoors this winter.

Saturday November 7
6pm
Liberty Hall
311 N. Ivy St.

Bring warm hats & gloves for the homeless!

Animal Health Clinic!

Mark your calendars! On Sunday October 18th from 1pm-4pm, the great folks at Portland Animal Welfare will be providing their next Animal Health Clinic for animals living with people experiencing or transitioning from homelessness. Services provided include basic exams, vaccinations, de-worming and flea treatment. This event is first-come-first-served and will take place at Outside In's Tattoo Removal Clinic located at 311 NW Broadway.

P.A.W. Animal Health Clinic
Sunday October 18th
1pm-4pm
311 NW Broadway

ANOTHER AWESOME YBR EVENT THIS FRIDAY!

The Portland Artist Network is proud to present a sock and hygiene supply drive in celebration of Yellow Brick Road’s 25th anniversary! Please join us THIS FRIDAY August 21 at the Ella Street Social Club for what promises to be a very fun evening featuring MC Jeffrey Darling of Sissy Boy, music by The Juan Prophet Organization and DJ Manic, visual art by Petr and Rose Sorfa, spoken word performances by Tommy Gaffney and Davey Mac, film by Alchemystical Workshop and "Random Wonderfulness" with deaf interpretation provided by DHOR through Equal Access ASL. This event also celebrates the 4th anniversary of Portland's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a 501(C)3 public charitable organization dedicated to the support, education, and development of the GLBT community.

Friday August 21
8pm
Ella Street Social Club (714 SW 20th Place)

$8 at the door or
$5 for those who bring donations for Yellow Brick Road!

YBR event at Holocene THIS WEDNESDAY!

We cordially invite you to attend what promises to be a very exciting evening at Holocene this Wednesday, August 12! Local musician (and all around nice guy) Brian Mumford is guest curating a wonderful muti-media gathering with all proceeds going directly to Yellow Brick Road in honor of our 25 years of service to homeless youth here in Portland! There will be visual art, music, local crafts, independent record labels, and Yellow Brick Road will even be on hand with outreach bags at the ready! Please come by and say, "Hello" this Wednesday at Holocene.

Wednesday August 12
Holocene
1001 SE Morrison
7pm
$6
(all proceeds go to Yellow Brick Road!)

YBR TRAINING OPPORTUNITY!

FREE TRAINING!
Sunday August 23
2pm-5pm

ASSERTIVE ENGAGEMENT! It is my pleasure to welcome Yellow Brick Road founder and Homeless Youth Continuum training consultant Jerry Fest back to YBR for a special Summer Training. Jerry has been instrumental in launching a recent redesign of Portland's Homeless Youth Continuum and he will join us on August 23rd to explain the new conceptual framework for the Assertive Engagement model. Janus Youth Programs and our partners in the Homeless Youth Continuum are the first interagency youth system in the nation to provide this progressive approach to working with street-dependent youth so this is a very exciting time for all of us. Vegetarian food & coffee will be provided!

Please R.S.V.P. for location at dlundberg@janusyouth.org

YBR CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF STREET OUTREACH!

That's right! August 2009 heralds the Silver Anniversary for Yellow Brick Road, one of the first volunteer-based street outreach programs in the nation! This is a very exciting time for all of us at Janus Youth Programs and we invite YOU to join us in celebrating 25 years of service to Portland’s street-dependent youth & young adults. Since our inception in 1984 Yellow Brick Road has provided eye-to-eye advocacy to young people experiencing homelessness every night of the year. Our trained volunteer teams are on the streets of downtown Portland every night from 5pm until 10pm bringing critical information, service referrals, and crisis intervention directly to homeless youth. Our teams distribute basic medical and hygiene supplies in an effort to reduce harm and engage young people in their own recovery and transition. As the “frontline” for the Homeless Youth Continuum, Yellow Brick Road often serves as the first point-of-contact for runaways and street entrenched youth. Our outreach teams also work to end sexual exploitation of young people by developing consistent supportive relationships on the streets, building trust between service providers and youth. And we need your help!

Every year Yellow Brick Road distributes an average of 2,500 pairs of socks, 8,000 band aids, 10,000 Q-tips, 1,000 toothbrushes, 1,000 travel-size tubes of toothpaste, 200 rolls of dental floss, 3,000 safety pins, 1,000 travel-size deodorants, 2,500 packs of triple antibiotic ointment, 4,000 wound wipes, 300 stretch gauze bandages, and hundreds of other essential items such as warm hats & gloves and sunscreen. Students, churches, small business owners, musicians and artists all across Portland have devoted their time and energy to raising awareness as well as supplies that will be distributed directly to the young people in our community who need them most. Anyone can organize a sock drive or hygiene supply drive. It’s easy and fun! And we'd be glad to help you get started. We are also available to come out and speak to your agency or organziation about youth homelessness and how Janus Youth Programs is working every day of the year to improve the lives of young people. Keep watching this blog in the coming weeks for upcoming trainings, benefit events and YBR birthday celebrations! And thank you for your continued support!
All the best,
~Dennis

Dennis Lundberg
Associate Director/Willamette BRIDGE Programs
Janus Youth Programs
dlundberg@janusyouth.org