What's The Deal?
What does it mean when someone is homeless?
It means they don’t have a safe, stable place to stay every night.
How many young people in the U.S. experience homelessness each year?
Over 4 million.
What’s one big reason why young people become homeless?
Family problems, money issues, or aging out of foster care.
What’s the “One Night Without a Bed” campaign?
It’s when people sleep without a bed for one night to understand homelessness and raise money for DPC.
How can you help a friend who's homeless?
Listen, offer support, help them find resources, or connect them to a safe space like DPC.
What’s “couch-surfing” and why do some young people do it?
Couch-surfing is staying with friends or family because you don’t have your own home. Young people do it when they don’t have anywhere else to go.
True or False: Most homeless youth stay in shelters.
False! Many youth don’t stay in shelters; they may stay with friends or in unsafe places.
How does aging out of foster care lead to homelessness?
Many youth don’t have support when they leave foster care, so they struggle to find a stable home.
What’s DPC’s Beyond the Ashes social enterprise?
It’s a program that teaches young people job and business skills so they can earn money and build their future.
What can you do to support DPC’s work?
Volunteer, donate, or spread the word about DPC and youth homelessness
What’s “housing insecurity”?
It’s when you’re worried about where you’ll live, and you don’t know if you’ll have a safe place long-term.
What age group does Detroit Phoenix Center focus on helping?
Youth ages 13-24 who are dealing with homelessness or at risk.
How can mental health issues lead to homelessness?
Without support, young people may lose their home or have trouble staying in school or work.
How does DPC’s Drop-In Center help?
It provides meals, hygiene items, and a safe place for youth who need support.
What’s one way schools can help homeless youth?
Schools can offer meals, school supplies, and connect youth to counselors or programs.
How does Detroit Phoenix Center’s SOAR program help?
SOAR gives youth skills for life, college, and career so they can reach their goals.
About what percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+?
Around 40%.
Why might young people leave home to escape harm or danger?
They might face abuse or unsafe situations and choose to leave for their safety.
What is “rapid rehousing”?
It’s a way to help young people quickly find and pay for a safe place to live
What does DPC’s “Every Youth, Every Mile” campaign mean?
It means DPC is committed to helping every young person they can reach, providing support along their journey.
What’s a “Drop-In Center”?
It’s a place where young people can come to get things like food, help, and support without needing to stay overnight.
True or False: All homeless youth are in big cities.
False! Homeless youth live in all types of places, from big cities to small towns.
How does Detroit Phoenix Center help youth facing tough times?
DPC provides safe spaces, counseling, help finding housing, and life skills training.
What does the Youth Action Board at DPC do?
It gives young people a voice in DPC’s programs and lets them share their stories to make change.
Why does DPC involve young people in their programs?
To make sure the programs really meet youth needs and to empower young people to lead and speak up.