Ending youth homelessness is about relationships: The importance of drop-in centers and staff to youth experiencing homelessness

Abstract

BackgroundDrop-in centers are safe havens for youth experiencing homelessness. We examine drop-in centers within a positive youth development (PYD) framework to explore the role social connections with staff on the psychosocial development and stability of youth experiencing homelessness. Two study objectives guide this analysis: 1) examine the characteristics of youth who are both connected to drop-in centers and have a positive relationship with an adult staff member and 2) investigate the extent to which positive relationships with staff are associated with engagement in services that promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. MethodsA sample of 784 youth experiencing homelessness were surveyed between May 2017 and November 2018 at three drop-in centers in Los Angeles, CA. All youth accessing drop-in services during recruitment days were invited to participate. Youth self-reported drop-in center use (i.e., frequency and duration), connections to drop-in center staff, and service engagement (e.g., employment, education, housing, and health services). Frequency distributions and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted with SAS 9.4. ResultsOver one-third of youth experiencing homelessness reported attending the drop-in center for six months or more and 28.3 % reported using that center on a daily basis. Two-thirds of youth reported having “developed at least one relationship with a supportive and positive staff at an agency that I attend.” Youth attending for six months or more were significantly more likely to report having a positive staff relationship (OR = 1.73, p < 0.001), as were youth who attended daily (OR = 1.85, p < 0.01). Youth who reported having a positive relationship with a staff member were more likely to report using employment programs and to possess knowledge of housing program options, controlling for drop-in center engagement and demographics. Moreover, youth who reported daily drop-in center use were more likely to report use of education and employment services and knowledge of housing options, controlling for staff relationships and demographics. Conclusions and ImplicationsPYD provides an important framework for addressing gaps in the current literature and exploring the role of drop-in centers in assisting youth experiencing homelessness. Positive adult staff play an integral part in the experiences youth have in drop-in center spaces, helping link youth to services that promote well-being, self-sufficiency, and the attainment of safe and stable housing.