Letter Example on Homelessness of the Youths

I am writing from Walker's Point Youth and Family Centre, a nonprofit children's advocacy organization dedicated to providing a safe and legal alternative to street runaways and homeless children, to express my concern over increased youth homelessness.

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As an organization committed to providing services for youth empowerment, we wish to applaud Wisconsin department of children and families for your efforts in promoting the economic and social well-being of children and youths to protect and effectively meet their developmental needs.

Homelessness has become a growing epidemic in the city of Milwaukee, especially for the youths. The huge number of homeless youths is overwhelming. Statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Housing show that out of the 6600 homeless people living in the county of Milwaukee, about 1800 are youths. According to Milwaukee's Pathfinders nearly over 500 children lack a place to shelter every night in the city. Children run away from home or cast out are often as a result of domestic violence, lack of family support, substance abuse and stigmatization of their sexual orientations. A research by the National Conference of State Legislatures has revealed that 46% of homeless children were as a result of physical abuse, 38% emotional abuse and 17% sexual harassment. Lacking shelter even for a short time can be detrimental to the healthy development of children especially adolescents due to increased anxiety and depression, low self-esteem and poor nutrition. Additionally, there is an increased likelihood of engaging in social ills such as dealing drugs, school dropout, and survival sex.

Teens who visit our facility to seek help often report serious violations both at home and in school which causes them to feel deprived of care and protection. Most of them are between ages 13 and 17 years old. It is an emerging phenomenon that needs serious intervention. Homelessness of the youths negatively affects our society. Other than malnutrition, most of these children lack adequate medical care with high susceptibility to mental disorders due to substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases due to sex for survival. They are also likely to acquire violent behaviors as a result of harsh treatment while on the streets. Finding a solution to this growing menace is critical because street children are part of our society and just like any American they have needs and rights that should be appreciated.

In order to address the problem of youth homelessness in Wisconsin State, we must acknowledge that it a complex problem that takes different forms. Major stakeholders including your department should seek to come up with a holistic solution to maintain a stable housing for our homeless youths. Our organization has partnered with Milwaukee's Pathfinders for a mission to initiate outreach programs such as Street Beat to facilitate educational programs for rehabilitation of street children. The LGBTQ Youths are a special group that needs special intervention due to their vulnerability. Reports indicate that they experience violation in whatever society they attempt to coexist with.

Homeless children have been masked from the public system and left out in policy-decision making thus hindering them from accessing programs and services they require. Additionally, Milwaukee city lacks sufficient resources such as housing, beds and foster care systems to cater to homeless children especially those between 13 to 17 years of age. Lack of adequate funding for support program is a contributing factor to the increasing number of homeless children in our state.

I wish to appreciate your leadership in considering these critical issues that affect our youths and look forward to your continued support to improve the well-being of families and children of Wisconsin State.

Sincerely,

Robin Peters

Volunteer