Our Need!
Project Oz plans to add a new 2,500 square foot Youth Education and Support Center to our existing building in order to expand our services and meet the growing needs of young people experiencing housing instability, family conflicts, and other challenges.
Your gift will help us create a comfortable space where youth can speak with counselors, learn life and job skills, and connect with technology. It will include a "Nutrition Nook", where they can grab a bite to eat and learn to cook, as well as a "Youth Hygiene Station" complete with laundry facilities, to allow homeless youth the opportunity to clean up with privacy and dignity. We will also be able to host larger family meetings, restorative circles, trainings, and community events on-site to build connections and encourage important conversations.
Throughout
the project, purposeful, youth-friendly, trauma-informed design will create a
warm, welcoming environment that promotes healing and communication for youth
and families during challenging times.
What We Do!
Project Oz partners with young people to build a foundation that promotes safety, opportunities, and well-being. Supporting youth and families is key to building a strong community where all members are able to reach their full potential.
Project Oz staff are out on the streets and in the schools every day making sure that kids have a safe place to stay and have a caring adult to talk to and help them solve problems and achieve their goals.
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We keep youth safe when they have nowhere else to turn, through
- On-call 24/7 crisis intervention
- Regular outreach to runaway and homeless youth
- The only emergency shelter and transitional living programs for youth in our county.
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We help youth build skills and prevent problems, through
- In-school substance use prevention education
- "Ending the Silence" suicide prevention/mental health awareness initiative
- Youth Empowered Schools (YES) student success program