Valley Youth House is excited to announce that Sanofi has awarded our organization a grant of $20,000 to help underwrite the funding needed to support a newly established housing program in Lackawanna County: Rapid Rehousing for Homeless Lackawanna Youth. The program provides rental assistance and supportive services for homeless transition-age youth (ages 18-24) throughout the County. The goal of the program is to focus on critical social service needs to break the cycle of poverty for these youth and their children by giving them the tools and resources necessary to earn a living wage and live independently.  The path to housing stability is fraught with obstacles for the population being served. This funding helps create an Emergent Needs Fund that would provide assistance for immediate monetary needs not covered by program budgets that currently provide barriers to employment, education, and housing (ie: furnishings, household goods, childcare, state IDs, bus passes, uniforms, utility bills, application fees, and more.)

Valley Youth House’s mission is to be the catalyst for youth to achieve their desired future through genuine relationships that support families, ensure safe places, and build community connections. The Lackawanna program is at the heart of the agency’s mission by providing safe housing for homeless youth; helping them to achieve their educational and employment goals; and connecting them to community resources to assist them and their children in maintaining stability following formal services. At the conclusion of the Valley Youth House program, formerly homeless youth will be able to live independently, breaking the cycle of poverty for themselves and future generations.