Homeless & At-Risk Youth


Each year, up to 2.8 million youth experience homelessness—a group roughly equivalent to 1% of the U.S. population. In addition, nearly 13 million American youth live in families with incomes below the poverty line—conditions that place them at risk of being homeless.

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Homeless shelters, foster homes and subsidized housing programs are focused on getting youth off the street—but once in the shelter system, few agencies have the means to help homeless youth return to society as productive, healthy individuals. To make matters worse, scarce resources and time are dedicated to helping even high-functioning homeless youth start careers and go to college. Currently, most vocational programs place homeless youth in low-skill, low-wage jobs with few opportunities for professional mobility. As a result, most homeless youth become chronically homeless adults.

The Reciprocity Foundation’s programs fill this much-needed gap in the system by providing programs and hands-on work opportunities that enable homeless youth to break the cycle of poverty and start sustainable careers.