Y2Y New Haven

Mission

Y2Y New Haven is a joint initiative of students across New Haven, Youth Continuum, and Y2Y Network to open a student-run overnight program for young adults (ages 18-24) experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Greater New Haven. Y2Y New Haven will employ a youth-to-youth model to provide a safe and affirming environment for young adults experiencing homelessness. Y2Y guests have opportunities to collaborate with service providers, other youth experiencing homelessness, and student volunteers to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness and develop skills for long-term success. Y2Y provides opportunities for both guests and volunteers to become the next generation’s leading advocates for youth-driven solutions to homelessness.

Student Leaders

Landon Bishop – Co-Coordinator/Co-President Will Crall – Co-Coordinator/Co-President

Activities

Volunteering Direct Service Volunteer shifts at Crisis Housing by Y2Y members Necessities Drive Direct Service We will be hosting a donation drive of necessary products to donate to both Crisis Housing and any of the affiliated places of Y2Y and Youth Continuum Clothing Drive Direct Service Clothing donation drive to donate any used and new clothing to Crisis Housing and affiliated places Shifts at Crisis Housing Direct Service Volunteers, individually or in pairs, volunteer in 2.5 and 5-hour shifts at our partner organization’s crisis housing center in New Haven. Returning volunteers conduct programming while new volunteers get to know the residents and the space. Volunteer Events Direct Service To check in with volunteers about how their shifts have been going midway and at the end of each semester. Volunteering at Youth Housing Crisis Center Direct Service Volunteering at the Youth Continuum (YC) Youth Housing Crisis Center involves providing direct support to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Youth Continuum is a New Haven-based nonprofit that our chapter of Y2Y network partners with. They work to prevent and address youth homelessness by providing a continuum of care, including outreach, emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing, counseling, and life-skills programs for vulnerable youth ages 14 to 24. Our chapter volunteers assist through shifts at the Crisis Housing Center during the week, performing tasks such as preparing programming for the residents, organizing clothing or hygiene supply drives, assisting with intake and orientation for new residents, and offering mentorship or tutoring to help youth develop life skills. End of Semester Volunteer Event Direct Service End of semester check in on volunteer onboarding status and trainings for any volunteer onboarded late in the semester (since this is a continuous process) so they can enter crisis housing next semester Mid Semester Check in Direct Service To show the volunteers that we appreciate them and to have a check in with them about what is going well, what needs improvement, what new ideas they have, about crisis housing. Especially since YC wants the volunteers to be more active, having this check in to talk about being more active members is important. Also we will relay this information or have YC members there too Necessities Drive Direct Service We are gathering supplies to donate to YC. Necessities such as sanitary products, canned foods, clothes, etc. We are hoping for people to donate, especially as the colder months are approaching, to provide to YC Y2Y New Haven Advocacy or Activism We focus on impacting the youth homelessness issue in New Haven through actions such as volunteering, food and clothing drives, and motivational interviewing. Community Engagement Events Advocacy or Activism Y2Y New Haven will conduct a resources drive for Youth Continuum every semester and partner with other organizations on and off campus to host events that engage the community in our work. Volunteer Recruitment Advocacy or Activism To attract new classes of volunteers, Y2Y New Haven booths at the Extracurricular Bazaar and Service Bazaar. We also meet with volunteers in the recruitment stage to give them more information about what we do and get to know them better. Community Partner Meetings Advocacy or Activism Y2Y New Haven leaders and volunteers meet with community leaders from Y2Y Network and Youth Continuum to discuss operations, transfer leadership, and conduct volunteer training. Volunteer Event Advocacy or Activism Event to transition in new volunteers and to show them the ropes of what volunteering will be like Workshop Advocacy or Activism Workshop for volunteers about how to contribute at crisis housing Volunteer Information Sessions Advocacy or Activism In order to inform prospective volunteers about our operations, we host Volunteer Information Sessions at the beginning of each semester.

How Others Get Involved

We hold recruiting sessions at the Extracurricular and Dwight Hall Bazaars. We host recruiting periods for both the Fall and Spring semesters. Additionally, anyone interested in joining can email us at y2ynewhaven@gmail.com. We are always open to taking on new volunteers!