Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO)

Youth Empowerment Program 2005 - 2006 Accomplishments

2005

  • Focused on ways to ensure the sustainability of Youth Councils in Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus
  • Monitored shelter policies - ensured that the state maintains adherence to the 13-year-old boy policy
  • Monitored replication of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) model throughout the state
  • Advocated with Senator Mike DeWine regarding McKinney Homeless Education funding
  • Advocated with members of Ohio Delegation to reverse efforts by U.S. Department of Education to disallow Title I funds to be used for transportation
  • Pushed to include "homeless education" legislation into the state budget
  • Solidified partnership with Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) regarding youth rights and access to education violations
  • Brought online the YEP State VISTA project
  • Worked on issues regarding student housing at colleges/universities in the Columbus area

2006

  • 5 YEP youth graduated in 2005 - 2006, and six more will be seniors and graduate 2007
  • Held four middle school leadership trainings around the state
  • Held five statewide youth meetings.
  • Attended and presented at four National conferences
  • Worked on getting a Higher Education bill in Congress to provide resources and protection for homeless youth
  • Took 16 youth to Washington, DC, to advocate for housing and homeless issues
  • Created new YEP councils in Cincinnati and Toledo
  • Worked with legal volunteers to create 15 brochures about various rights of homeless children and youth
  • Worked on petitions to increase minimum wage in Ohio
  • Continued to be a presence on the Policy Academy Work Groups
  • Addressed issues associated with four major shelter changes in Akron and Columbus and provided assistance through transition into new facilities and programming
  • Provided assistance to five schools in providing housing referrals and support to older, independent students
  • Provided assistance to three universities in creating specific support and programs for homeless college students
  • Provided assistance to four youth-serving shelters to expand services to include older youth/young adults (18 and up)
  • Advised and assisted four agencies on their federal grant applications to provide housing resources to older youth/young adults
  • Assisted in the creation of a homeless youth drop-in center in Columbus
  • Worked with foster care groups on providing follow-up services for youth aging out
  • Created and coordinated the Youth Housing Committee