Invisible Youth Group for Homeless

Online Organization for Homeless and At Risk Youth

May 8, 2007

Invisible Youth is a growing online organization that provides resources, mentoring and support for homeless and at risk youth.

Recently I have had the pleasure of meeting Russell Hartsaw and became inspired to join him in his quest to help homeless youth. Invisible Youth is an online organization with over 277 members who provide resources for homeless and at risk youth.

Besides being an online resource for homeless youth, Invisible Youth is in the process of planning a full service Youth Center for homeless youth in San Diego. Presently there is only one shelter there with a mere 20 bed capacity. There are at least 2,000 homeless people in San Diego and half of them are under the age of 15. Russell was abandoned at the age of nine and I believe that’s what inspires him to help children avoid the same fate he had to endure.

Some homeless facts from Invisible Youth:

1. Every community has homeless people, even if you don't see them on the street.

2. Most homeless people don't live on the street. More than 80% homeless are improperly housed or on the verge of being evicted. Many are sleeping in temporary beds - with friends or relatives, in church basements, in welfare motels, in abandoned buildings and vehicles, and in other places, tucked away from the public eye.

3. About one in seven users of shelters is a child. Compared to children with permanent homes, homeless children suffer more from lack of educational opportunities, infection, obesity, anemia, injuries, burns, developmental delays and incomplete immunization; youth suffer more injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health problems, and pregnancies.

4. As women generally earn less than men, women are more vulnerable to becoming homeless.

5. Newcomers to the rental housing market, especially young people, immigrants and refugees, are often required to rent housing that they cannot afford. They are often one paycheck away from eviction.

6. Many seniors face eviction due to fixed incomes and increased rents and taxes. Ensuring seniors stay adequately and appropriately housed prevents them from being part of the hidden homeless and ending up visibly homeless or in hospitals.

7. Our young people also make up the hidden homeless. Many homeless youth are living in shelters or bunking with friends - many are fleeing abusive situations.

8. The working poor, often single parents with young children, end up living in crowded housing as they are unable to afford a decent place to live while feeding and clothing their children.

9. The hidden homeless are at risk of long-term physical and emotional harm. The longer anyone remains homeless, the greater the social and economic costs.

10. As a society we all pay for the tragedy of homelessness

Russell has planned and organized: