Advocates point out lack of resources for homeless youth

Advocates point out lack of resources for homeless youth

A pastor in eugene is concerned there aren't enough resources for homeless teens in our area.

Right now, the one location in our community that can shelter unaccompanied minors, can only take in 8 a night.

Kezi 9 news reporter emma withrow shows us why advocates are so concerned about the lack of resources.

< emma withrow: homeless adults are getting resources from the city and county.

But some advocates tell me youth roaming the streets haven been taken into consideration.

Pastor adam briddell, first united methodist church: there a population of kiddos that really need low barrier shelters in emergencies?

Pastor adam briddell with first united methodist church in eugene says they typically take in homeless kids during these cold months, but now that the egan warming centers have closed, they have nowhere to go -- and he's seeing kids waking up on the streets almost every day.

(00:00: 21) pastor adam briddell, wee in the midst of a public health crisis and the county has moved heaven and earth to do really good work at the fairgrounds for our adult homeless population, but again the resources for youth are completely absent from their response.

And its potentially really tragic?

(00:00:39) ashley hubbard, program coordinator for hoots :?my concern is a lot of them can be carriers that are not symptomatic, and so there a concern that if theye not able to quarantine or shelter in place, that theye going to be folks that potentially can get other vulnerable populations sic?

Ashley hubbard, the program coordinator for hoots, says while there aren't many physical locations that offer help for teens, they have set up a phone line..

For those who are having mental health issues.

The number?

541-687-4000.

Coming up at 6 we will hear about an alternative saint vincent de paul has offered for the homeless youth in our community.

Reporting in eugene.