In response to the number of homeless youth in Juneau, the Northern Light United Church has partnered with the Glory Hole Shelter and Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative High School to establish a small shelter for young adults.
According to Yaakoosge staff, at one point last spring, 72 out of 180 students were identified as homeless — couch surfing at the homes of friends or relatives, or simply camping out in the elements.
The mission of the NLUC Shelter is to provide a safe place to stay for the Juneau School District’s young adults experiencing homelessness. Yaakoosge students ages 18 to 24 will be referred to this pilot program by school staff.
NLUC is located within walking distance of the high school and other resources.
The shelter’s check-in and check-out times coincide with the start of school in the morning and with Zach Gordon Youth Center’s closure in the evening so that students can have a structured, safe environment throughout the entire day.
NLUC was awarded $10,000 from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to convert space in the church to accommodate up to 16 students. Renovations completed in time for the start of school include new lockers, separate sleeping space for young men and women, and showers.
Two shelter coordinators and many volunteers have opened the doors to provide a safe, warm, and inviting place for students.
Comments (24)
Add commentNew shelter for youth
This is a wonderful addition to the youth of Juneau!
Well, who wouldn't want to
Well, who wouldn't want to live next door to that?
Has anyone checked zoning in the area?
I know churches are "houses of worship" but can we take the word "houses" literally?
Unbelievable
Calypso, you are even against churches helping homeless children? The flats is one of the most open, caring and close-knit neighborhoods in the city of Juneau. I know where you DON'T live... You need to open your heart a little, man.
I am thankful these young people have a warm place to go. Thank you to all who helped make this happen.
Youth NEED shelter and safety
Thank you to everyone involved in making this needed resource available.
I would rather have homeless youth safe and warm in a known location than breaking into homes, buildings, and cars for basic shelter!
Thank you JE for this article but it seems to be missing some important information that could make it much more comprehensive:
Who are the shelter coordinators?
For more information contact?
What are are the shelters current needs for supplies and volunteers?
Donations
I would like to drop some items off this weekend. It is hunger action month and I have been grabbing extra on my grocery run every weekend. Thought this would be a good place to bring them this week.
I don't want to sound like I
I don't want to sound like I am against these types of programs. This one is falsely advertised. This is not Juneau's children! 18 to 24 years old is an adult. This is just an overflow for existing programs.
If it was for 18 years old and below, I would shut up and support the program as advertised.
A healthy 22 year old
A healthy 22 year old sleeping on a buddies couch is considered homeless?
So that means I was homeless quite a few times back in my college days....HHmmm maybe I can put that on my application to Harvard...It worked for Warren.
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thank you Northern Lights
Well, I live on the flats and I say "thank you Northern Lights for taking action where society and government have lets us all down. Good Job, you have my support".
My thoughts exactly fireguy.
My thoughts exactly fireguy. I’m all for helping those who need it, but sense when were 18-24 year olds considered youths or children?
maybe i missed something in the article....
Seniors graduate at age 17 ( well maybe almost 18 depending) so why is a 18-24 year old still in high school? An 18 year old is not a minor anymore, therefore not a child. Are these "homeless" people working? Sometimes churches and other programs become the "enabler" I think the article leaves a lot of questions unanswered. I do support giving someone a helping hand, but give a man a fish and he can eat for the day, teach him to fish and he can feed himself for life.
Can you read?
Apparently some comment authors here could use a little more high school to brush up on reading comprehension.
"The mission of the NLUC Shelter is to provide a safe place to stay for the Juneau School District’s young adults experiencing homelessness. Yaakoosge students ages 18 to 24 will be referred to this pilot program by school staff."
or comprehending the problem
Even a student with a full-time job does not mean that full time housing is available and/or affordable.
Maybe some of these "l'm all for helping those in need" people will open-up rooms in their home so that the church services will no longer be needed.
@ fireguy, Milspec.
You two didn't happen to at least read the first paragraph, did you? You know, where it ends; a small shelter for young adults.
Care to point out how it isn't as advertised, or where those it hoped to help, were referred to as children.
False advertising fireguy.....that comes from your keyboard.
naysayers
May you always be so blessed, and may you be thankful of your blessings.
You have until you are 22 to finish high school. I praise any young person that stays in school to finish. That is commitment. I have no idea why these young people are homeless. I am sure some I would not let stay in my home. But I do know that somewhere in their earlier life they didn't get the tools to be financially stable now. They are not beyond help, it is not too late. I have blessings now and I am happy to share them. Donating clothes my teens won't wear anymore, or the ones the adults don't wear because of flucuating pant size doesn't cost anything. Less than $20 gets 2 cases of cup o noodles, not much. But it won't break me.
Finishing School
These kids dropped out for whatever reason and now they are back trying to make good and finish their education.
Those of you who are saying, "I'd help them BUT..." seem to have overlooked that this shelter is at a church - a church that welcomes all and listens to the words of Jesus.
Jesus did not say, "Help the poor that you feel, in your superior way, DESERVE to be helped."
Jesus said, "Help the poor."
This is very good
I am sure that the church isn't just going to let these homeless youths, take advantage of this. But the youths will recieve help and learn to find a home on their own. It's not like they are going to let them go party and come back to pass out. I would also like to make donations for this funding.
NLUC has always been a
NLUC has always been a community-minded church. My hat goes off to the congregation for helping people who are trying to do the right thing.
I hope that Calypso will sooner or later be able to find a similar program so he will be able to move out of the dumpster.
Tonight...
Someone is going to be warm that wasn't a week ago. That might not be in a week for whatever reason. How can anyone find fault in that?
If you don't agree don't contribute. If you do agree than do contribute!
Simple enough.
JE strikes again
Once again, readers are left with more unanswered questions thanks to the inadequate reporting of the Empire. I'd like to know who the people are that will be working with these youth. I'd like to know what the hours of this facility will be. I would like to know who the program answers to if/when a problem arises. How long can youth stay at the shelter? Why is the program targeting only YDHS students? Will there still be space available for other community groups to rent in the evenings? Who can folks contact for more information?
high rents
who can afford rent at $1200. per month without utilites on a a $10. dollar an hour job , with a loaf of bread at six bucks... and a pair of carharts is $55. dollars... you have to work all day for a pair of jeans? sounds like india...not to mention a student loan payment, that was sold on the open market as a security.
Thank you
I have known some of these kids. They are frequently good people that have been handed a bad situation. They want an opportunity to learn and get a good job, maybe go to college but the trauma that disrupts their lives puts them in survival mode. Any help that anyone can give them is a God send.
Mama's thoughts
This shelter will become a valuable resource for young adults to test their wings. There are plenty of reasons a young person may become homeless not the least of which are parents that either abuse substances or simply reject their youngster without providing the tools and training for independent life. Rents are so high and wages so low (if the youngster can even find a job) that life in Juneau can feel bleak and without hope. Youth services are there for any youngsters under 18 but there’s not much help out there if you are over 18, cold and hungry. If I had anything negative to say here, it would be that some of these kids are out of their homes and in alternative classes due to negative behaviors and failure to cooperate with rules and routines. Providing shelter in those cases could actually become a barrier to a family trying to resolve such problems. That said….I think this shelter is a definite asset to our community because it gives some youth a safe environment to sleep while they develop their “life” skills.
Becoming contributing and respectable adults in the community.
This may be helpful for those who do not have a stable or safe place to stay but we need more programs and classes to teach high school students to successfully and vigorously search for jobs and careers after high school. How to be professional and conduct themselves in a well mannered way. There are too many finishing high school or receiving their GED'S that aren't equipped with the knowledge and skills to actually be an adult that can rely on themselves and honestly (pardon me but...)not be a rude punk with little direction. I graduated 6 years ago and SO many people from my class are still in the same spot and mindset when I left after graduation.
1. Introduction to Goal Setting
2. Develop and Use Employability Skills
3. Introduction to Employment Forms and Resumes
4. Introduction to Interviews, Job Retention & Work Ethics
Look at the cost of renting in Juneau
Even if these kids are working, their take home pay would hardly pay the rent......it looks like more JUNEAU people are against helping those in need than you that want and will help those in need.