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Advocacy Opportunity: Helping the Homeless during COVID-19

At  SPY, we’re so thrilled to be part of such a resilient and connected  community. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the outpouring of  support we’ve received  during these unpredictable times.
 

We’re thankful for our dedicated team members who are still working  every day to provide life-saving support and essential services at SPY’s  Access Center and across all of our residential programs.

We’re  thankful for the swift action to prioritize the vulnerability of the  homeless population in Los Angeles, providing handwashing stations and  opening additional  shelters to provide a safe space during this time of uncertainty.

We’re  grateful for the policies that have already been enacted and actions  that are already taking place to continue to protect and support our  homeless neighbors.  And, we’re extremely thankful that we can continue to move SPY’s  mission forward. But we can’t fight this fight alone.

The  street-based and at-risk youth we serve are at an increased risk of  complications if they contract COVID-19. According to a report published  by the  National Alliance to End Homelessness, “Homeless individuals infected by COVID-19 would be twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times as likely to require critical care, and two to three times as likely to die than the general population.”

Housing Highlights

At  SPY, we believe housing is an integral part of helping street-based  youth find stability. We’re delighted by the projects, originally goals  in our  strategic plan, that have become realities over the past few months. 
 

A Bridge Home Sunset 

In  February, in partnership with People Assisting The Homeless (PATH), SPY  celebrated the opening of A Bridge Home Sunset in Venice (ABH). As a  result, 54 transition-aged  youth have been moving off of the streets and into their home. ABH will  house residents for three to six months as they work with SPY staff to  secure permanent supportive housing. While at ABH, residents are  provided three nutritious meals a day and receive  dedicated case management, education and employment support, and access  to health and wellness care to help them transition from the streets  and stabilize. 

The Nest

The  Nest, which opened in December 2019, is SPY’s housing program designed  specifically for youth who are pregnant and/or parenting. The program  has the capacity  to host 8 to 10 parenting youth and their families for up to 36 months.  Each resident has a dedicated case manager, together they focus on  goals like finding housing, completing education, and improving life  skills. Residents also receive targeted family services  and parenting classes. We are thrilled to share that as of April 1, we  have reached full capacity at The Nest!

A Furry Reunion   

Marquise  and his dog Cloud 9 have been unhoused in Venice and coming to SPYs  Access Center for  services since 2016. Marquise, a talented guitar player, participates  in SPY's Healing Arts program and has worked closely with his Case  Manager to plan his short and long term goals for stability. Through  SPY's partnership with Project Minnie, Marquise is  also able to provide excellent care for Cloud 9.
 

On the streets of Abbot Kinney, Marquise met Rick, a community member  who immediately bonded with Marquise. Unfortunately in October 2019,  LAPD removed Cloud 9 from Marquise's custody, leaving the two separated  and Cloud 9 in an animal shelter.
 

In an effort to support Marquise reuniting with Cloud 9, Rick became  Marquise's mentor through SPY's Mentorship Program, which matches  volunteers to mentor youth on an individual basis. With Marquise's  dedication, Rick's determination, and SPY's driven case  management team providing advocacy in the courtroom and in the  community, Marquise and Cloud 9 have finally been reunited! The two are  now residing at SPY's bridge housing program, A Bridge Home Sunset,  where we love seeing them together every day.