A new partnership is expanding the number of beds available for Springfield's homeless youth to spend a night.
Since opening in April 2024, the YouthConnect Center shelter has offered eight emergency shelter beds for youth ages 13-21. Currently, the shelter is full Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights with the resource accessed by local youth more than 1,000 while in crisis since its inception, according to a YouthConnect news release.
YouthConnect Center is a program of FosterAdopt Connect that aims to fill gaps for local youth experiencing housing instability by providing a safe space for them to meet with youth and their families and helping access different community resources.
Now, the center is partnering with the GLO Center, the local LGBTQ+
resource and community center, to provide local youth increased access to shelter. Through the partnership, the overnight shelter will be open five days a week from Monday through Friday, the release announced Thursday, Aug. 13. Volunteers with the GLO Center will bridge the gap in current YouthConnect Center overnight shelter staffing in order to be open two additional nights.
This partnership will replace GLO's existing Crisis Cold Weather Shelter, the release noted, instead focusing on a year-round effort.
“We’re excited to work alongside the YouthConnect Center and FosterAdopt Connect to expand the number of nights that safe and LGBTQ-affirming emergency shelter is available to Springfield youth," said Aaron Kitchens, GLO's executive director, in the release. "Our volunteers have always been at the heart of GLO’s work, and this partnership gives them another meaningful opportunity to make a direct difference in the lives of young people in our community."
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: New partnership expands homeless shelter access for Springfield youth
