November/December Change for Charity Partner: Star House

Star House partners with teens and young adults in Central Ohio as they exit the circumstance of homelessness and thrive. Youth homelessness is a complex, growing issue, affecting four-million US teens and young adults annually, including 3,000-plus in Franklin County, Ohio. Youth experience homelessness, largely due to disconnection from family and lack of affordable housing options— with half having been in foster care, a quarter identifying as LGBTQIA+, others having been kicked out of their home for being pregnant, and still others fleeing abuse. With limited rights and privacy, they avoid shelter services and live on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or couch-surf. They are at higher risk for PTSD, victimization, human trafficking, food insecurity, assault, and death from suicide or overdose.

In the midst of this despair, there is hope. While a leading cause of youth homelessness is disconnection from family— compounded by lack of affordable housing options— supportive community is a leading predictor of exiting homelessness long term.

Since 2006, Star House has used an evidence-based model, proven effective in providing youth aged 14-24 a chance to thrive in a supportive community. To transition into stability, one needs well-being, a living-wage job, affordable housing, and supportive community. Star House connects youth with all four by offering the nation’s only 24/7/365 drop-in center that continuously hosts best-practice research and a 62-unit neighborhood with on-site services. Star House offers immediate, around-the-clock access to safety— with no waitlist— and comprehensive services that promote youths’ strengths to prevent chronic homelessness.

As a result, in 2023, more than 1,400 individual youth, and in some cases their small children, will have their unique needs met by Star House, up from 531 in 2013. Today, 95% of youth, who reported having issues meeting their basic needs before Star House, said at least one of those issues was now easier or a non-existent problem. Among those who accessed services for 90+ days, three-quarters obtained housing and jobs; 91% accessed healthcare; 88% chose to participate in therapy/case management, and 80% gained crucial IDs.