The Street Outreach Program (SOP) provides direct community-based and street outreach services to all Dane County unsheltered and at-risk youth and young adults ages 14-24. Our Street Outreach Specialists provide advocacy and client-driven, holistic case management services primarily focused on assisting youth in:
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Finding safe and stable housing and/or shelter
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Connecting with educational or training advancement opportunities
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Securing sustainable employment/ income
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Identifying and applying to eligible government, state, and local services (such as Foodshare and health insurance).
In addition, we assist clients in obtaining state IDs, social security cards, and/or birth certificates; provide basic need items such as survival gear, hygiene items, safe sex kits, clothing items, and direct referrals to community food sources, as well as referrals for specialized services to support their health, well-being, and safety.
Street Outreach Specialists utilize evidence-based practices including Harm Reduction, Positive Youth Development, Trauma-Informed Care, and Supported Decision Making, along with our own lived experience to establish trusting relationships with youth and young adults. Through intentional engagement rooted in humility and non-judgement, SOP strives to support community youth in making informed choices, getting connected, exiting the streets, and preventing the sexual abuse, human trafficking, or exploitation of youth people leaving on the streets or in unstable housing.
Statements of clients’ experiences with homelessness:
“I am sleeping in my car and find a couch every couple days. I’m afraid and do not have support. I really want to get back on my feet but it seems impossible.”
“I just want help”
“My mom kicked me out and I have nowhere to go. My friend from shelter receives my social security money as my advisor and is taking advantage of me.”
- For more information contact the Program Coordinator, at 608.251.6211
