Homeless Youth Recovery

"To know, love and serve"

A community-based organization guiding young adults with practical, effective and common-sense help to end their homelessness.

284 New young adults served last year

507 Community reuse volunteers

 985 Donations and counting

The Challenge

 

Our Solution

ServiCes

Supplies and guidance so you make your own progress!

Age 28 and younger, homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in a program to stop homelessness

Provide food, clothing, and toiletries as an expression of love and support.

Supported by hundreds of private individuals, businesses and churches. We don't take most government funding because our clients deserve consistency. Make a difference in a practical and common-sense way!

Outreach visits in safe well-known locations

Sunshine Store in North Central Austin:

Learning Center (same location)

Reach out by phone, text, and messaging.

Let's Get Started!

For Homeless Youth

#2 We'll help make you feel welcome and understand our resources.

#3 You decide your goals and how often to engage.

Arrange to Meet Us

For Reuse Volunteers

#2 We'll greet you and offer to show you around. You'll leave with a list of needed items.

#3 You decide how often to collect items, drop sandwiches off or engage in other needs.

#2 We'll send a receipt, as well as offer you ways to connect of your choosing.

#3 You decide how often to give and whether you want to support special projects, introduce us to friends over dinner, and invite us to speak at small groups and meetings.

What People say about the SYMin experience

 Dan: Could you tell the people that put the food bag together thank you for me. It looks like fantastic stuff. I'm going to be able to cook actual food in a few days!!!

AW: The way my life has changed in such little time because I'm doing better for myself. A year ago, I thought I had no one and that nobody would ever care about me. Today I have such awesome friends who support me on my path to sobriety and healing. 

Diana: I made this in art group at Street Youth Ministry. I had a good time, I tried to paint the rock formation on ship rock.  

Heather:  I just had an amazing weekend with my parents and brother, and I was reminded of something from when I first started going to SYM. You had us write down something we hoped for that could only be from the Lord. Mine was restoration of the relationships with my family. God did it. The seeds you planted have produced fruit and I wanted to thank you 

How are We different?



Ages

Hours

Food

Clothing

Coordinated Assessment

Shelter

Housing

Financial Support

Support Groups

Style

Pro Counseling




16-28 only

M-F 11:30-4

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

M-F, 6 types

Light Case Management

No

Navigation Centers (3)

All

Varies

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Sometimes

No

Case Management

No

Sunrise
Charlie
Trinity

16-25

Varies

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Peer Support

Case Management

Yes

All

Varies

No

No

No

No

No

No

Mental Health

Case Management

Yes

All

Varies

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Case Management

No

FAQ

Is there an intake process or limit on number of clients?

We take new people very day that we are open, and there is no limit, per se. We ask a minimum number of questions initially. Everyone must behave safely and stick with our schedule. Trust is a huge thing for us, so we expect people to be able to tell their truth when ready.

What is light case management?

We don't use formal case management. This gets rid of the line and the need to track down one specific person. We know your time is valuable. Our team can work with people upon each arrival without appointments to try to advance your goal. You don't need to work with the same person each time.

What is your program about?

We want for you more stability, more sobriety, reconnection with God, and finding a faith home, but you choose your goals--not us! Most people seek clothing, food, and supplies initially. Then they prioritize a goal or two, like an ID or a job. We don't do it for you, but we can fill in missing know-how to empower and encourage you. Often you may have a challenge or two you're dealing with, and one or more of our support groups led by our trained and seasoned team will likely help. One step leads to another, and before you know it you're saving money, moving into housing, getting transportation and doing great! We are faith-based, all are welcome, and nobody has to change or become anything religious. Bible study, group prayer time, and individual prayer requests are available, but always a choice.

If it free? How much help can I get?

We don't charge clients. Our work is supported by community volunteers and donors. Many clients donate eventually, too! We're fully private and not government supported. Many of our resources are donated (which gives us a big variety). We view them as shared resource, so you should be prepared to take only as much as you can use immediately. Some items are limited like backpacks, sleeping bags, shoes. Some items can only be obtained by earning "points" in our SYMinU learning system. Come to a Computer Lab group to get started.

What is SYMinU and how to get SYMinU Points?

We learn from our clients. Getting jobs isn't normally a challenge but keeping them turns out to be the challenge. SYMinU is our solution to making sure you have the chance to learn soft skills and workpalce expectations. There are hundreds of courses to take. Each earns you points accoridng to how long they typically take. An hours of points gets you $10 of merchandise from our SYMinU store. These are items we don't have enough of to offer for free or are ways to get extra of limited items. Popular items include phone chargers, phone cords, pre-paid phones, headphones, and more. Items cost what they really cost in the real world, except you pay with SYMinU points.

Can I do laundry there?

You can get a launry pass from us good for one load of laundry at the laundromat across the street from us. There is a limit of one load per week. We also do lots of laundry left behind by clients (after a shower or just lightning their load of dirty clothes), but we cannot be certain you get your own clothing back. Clean and usable clothing goes back into our Sunshine Store.

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There are many other ways to help. Our home page covers the more popular, but explore ways to connect that are most appropriate for you!