Homeless Youth Connection

The CLP Missions Committee Liaison to Homeless Youth Connection is Judy Fulton.

Homeless Youth Connection’s (HYC) mission is to eliminate barriers to education so that youth experiencing homelessness can graduate and create lasting solutions for a successful future. The Arizona Department of Education reported more than 8,700 homeless youth in 9th-12th grade are living in Arizona, and more than 1,100 are unaccompanied youth. HYC partners with 130 high schools and annually serves more than 700 homeless youth between the ages of 13 and 21 who are enrolled in high schools in Maricopa County and Flagstaff. Youth coaches work together with youth to identify needs related to academics, health, housing, hygiene, employment, and independent living skills. All services are provided at no cost to the youth, high school, school district or state.

In 2009, community leader Larry Cervarich was motivated to do something to help when he read about the struggles homeless youth in the West Valley were facing every day just to stay in high school. So, together with community churches, including Church at Litchfield Park and his Rotary Club, HYC was established in 2010.  CLP has provided financial support, scholarships, and volunteer assistance for the past 13 years.  Your continued support has helped HYC expand its services to more than 600 youth annually.  Support from CLP continues to provide basic needs and resources to youth who are experiencing homelessness and who are enrolled in the Agua Fria Union School District. Each year, CLP members make sure the youth are not forgotten during the holidays, and a few have been host families, too.  Thanks in part to support from CLP, 95% of youth in the HYC program stay in school, graduate, and have a chance at a sustainable and healthy future. Explore some of the students who have benefited from this amazing program. Find out more at https://hycaz.org