Streets to Suites Program

    · Clothingtreets to Suites program is a vital resource created to support law enforcement and government agencies when community members are experiencing hardships like homelessness and require immediate safe housing. Situations such as domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, human trafficking, natural disasters, house fires, burglaries, or assaults may necessitate our assistance. This initiative offers temporary shelter as a transitional option for families and individuals with children facing serious medical issues. In addition to providing short-term refuge, we also offer support services and connect clients with essential resources to help them on their journey towards stability.

When traditional methods and resources have been exhausted, Voices of Our Youth steps in to provide urgent support to individuals facing crisis. Working closely with local partners, we aim to swiftly remove community members from dangerous situations and offer them temporary shelter. Our main goal is to ease the worry, despair, and sense of powerlessness that often come with high-pressure circumstances.

Through our Streets to Suites program, we strive to be a source of inspiration and catalyst for positive change in the lives of those facing significant obstacles. Our focus is on creating a safe and nurturing space where individuals can find support and guidance as they navigate difficult circumstances. We are committed to working tirelessly to connect each person or family with lasting solutions through our wide range of community collaborators.

Our community partners offer a variety of services, such as:

- Hygiene Products

- Clothing

- Baby Items

- Childcare

- Mental Health Support

- Grocery Assistance

- Braiding Services

- Fitness and Exercise Classes

- Nutrition and Healthy Cooking Classes

- Medi-Cal Enrollment Assistance

- Addiction Counseling

- Drug and Alcohol Individual and Group Therapy

- Parent Support Groups

- Workshops

- Peer Support

- Anonymous Helpline

Together, we work towards empowering individuals and families to conquer challenges and construct a more promising tomorrow.

Voices of Our Youth was inspired by a conversation with law enforcement officers who recognized the urgent need to support families in crisis situations. They recounted a poignant story of a single mother and her two children fleeing domestic violence and being left stranded at a station, highlighting the severity of the issue. In response, Voices of Our Youth tailored an existing program to meet the unique needs of these individuals.

In response to the pressing need, Voices of Our Youth sprang into action and collaborated with law enforcement authorities and Motel 6 to establish the Streets to Suites program. Initiated on January 24, 2024, the initiative has garnered acclaim and expanded from its initial emergency voucher service to address the overwhelming demand for assistance.

As we gear up for Phase 2 of our program, focusing on interim housing, our aim is to provide continuous support to individuals and families beyond the emergency voucher phase. This phase will provide additional assistance as clients work towards transitioning into transitional, semi-permanent, or permanent housing. Our goal is to provide housing for up to 90 days, with the objective of moving clients to more stable housing within 30 days.

Clients in transitional housing will receive weekly vouchers and must meet achievable goals to qualify for the next week's voucher. By actively working towards these goals, clients are taking steps towards self-reliance and are accountable for their progress. Failing to meet these goals may result in the postponement of the next week's voucher, highlighting the importance of commitment and hard work in the program.

In this phase, our primary goal is to provide support to families who are facing homelessness. Our aim is to help children make the transition from living on the streets to more stable living conditions, enabling them to concentrate on their education and overall welfare. The surroundings in which a child grows up have a profound effect on their ability to learn and succeed academically, which in turn influences many facets of their lives.

At Voices of Our Youth, we are committed to leveraging the positive impact of programs like Streets to Suites. This initiative has the ability to bring about positive change for both individuals experiencing homelessness and the professionals who help them. Streets to Suites offers support to the homeless community and equips professionals with valuable resources for engaging in compassionate community outreach, making it a distinctive and effective solution.

By equipping officers with the essential tools to assist community members during challenging circumstances, Streets to Suites plays a vital role in minimizing the reliance on force and avoiding unnecessary arrests. This proactive strategy not only benefits the community as a whole but also supports the overall well-being of law enforcement officers. Empowering officers to assist individuals in crisis not only improves public safety but also protects the mental health and resilience of those who bravely serve on the front lines.

The emotional toll of being unable to assist someone in need can significantly impact a person's mental health. This feeling of helplessness has the potential to result in biases and negative responses that could affect their interactions with the community. The Streets to Suites initiative seeks to revive a sense of purpose among law enforcement officers and government workers, empowering them to carry out their duties with empathy and efficiency. This, in turn, enables them to offer aid, security, and support with compassion.

By empowering law enforcement officers and government employees through this innovative program, our goal is to enhance community relations and foster a sense of partnership and collaboration with the residents. Streets to Suites serves as a bridge between different societal factions, promoting mutual comprehension, empathy, and positive engagement that benefits all individuals involved.

Voices of Our Youth is dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness and the hardworking law enforcement and government officials through our Streets to Suites program. Our aim is to foster a harmonious and compassionate community where everyone can prosper and make meaningful contributions.

Streets to Suites was initially piloted at the Lancaster Sheriff's Station, where each voucher redemption offered a distinct opportunity to gather insights for improving and growing the program. With this valuable knowledge in hand, we are now ready to roll out the program to additional law enforcement agencies and governmental bodies. We recognize that neighboring communities may encounter similar obstacles but will benefit from customized strategies to address their unique requirements. Our objective is to ultimately scale the initiative to encompass all 23 stations under the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. This expansion will be achieved through program establishment, partnership cultivation, funding acquisition, and momentum generation.

The Streets to Suites program, developed by Voices of Our Youth, is an essential and strategic initiative designed to deliver immediate, life-saving support to law enforcement and government agencies when community members face urgent hardships—especially homelessness. Whether the crisis arises from domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, human trafficking, natural disasters, house fires, burglaries, assaults, or severe medical challenges, Streets to Suites intervenes swiftly, providing temporary safe housing as a bridge to long-term stability. Our program is not just a shelter: it is a comprehensive support system, connecting families and individuals—specifically those with children and complex health needs—to critical resources and wraparound services that lay the foundation for lasting change.

When all other avenues have been exhausted, Voices of Our Youth stands as a beacon of hope, responding rapidly to individuals and families in crisis. Partnering closely with local agencies, we act decisively to extract community members from perilous situations and place them in secure, temporary accommodations. Our primary objective is to alleviate the fear, uncertainty, and powerlessness that accompany traumatic events, offering a clear path from crisis to recovery.

Streets to Suites is more than a program—it is a catalyst for transformation. We are committed to creating welcoming, nurturing environments where those facing profound adversity can access guidance, encouragement, and individualized support. Our collaborative approach, powered by a diverse network of community partners, ensures that every participant is connected to a continuum of care and resources tailored to their unique needs.

Our partners provide essential services, including:

     · Hygiene Products

     · Clothing

     · Baby Items & Childcare

     · Mental Health Counseling

     · Grocery Assistance

     · Hair Braiding Services

     · Fitness & Exercise Classes

     · Nutrition & Healthy Cooking Workshops

     · Medi-Cal Enrollment Assistance

     · Substance Use Counseling

     · Individual & Group Therapy for Drug/Alcohol Recovery

     · Parent Support & Peer Groups

     · Skill-Building Workshops

     · Confidential Helpline

Together, we empower individuals and families to overcome adversity, build resilience, and forge a brighter, more stable future.

Voices of Our Youth recognizes the significance of mental health during times of crisis, which is why we have partnered with Little People’s Childcare to offer essential daycare services and educational support for children affected by such circumstances. Ensuring children experience continuity and have access to a secure environment alleviates parental concerns as families seek stability through available support services. Program participants are also provided with a hot, home-cooked meal each evening that they are accommodated in the program, helping to maintain consistency in their daily routines.

The inception of Streets to Suites was inspired by a compelling conversation with law enforcement officers who shared the heartbreaking story of a single mother and her children left stranded after fleeing domestic violence. Recognizing the acute need for immediate, compassionate intervention, we adapted our programming to fill this critical gap—ensuring that no family in crisis is left without options.

In collaboration with law enforcement and Motel 6, we launched Streets to Suites on January 24, 2024. Since its inception, the program has rapidly evolved, expanding beyond emergency vouchers to meet an overwhelming and growing demand for transitional housing and holistic support.

As we are preparing to launch Phase 2—our interim housing initiative—we are committed to providing sustained, structured support that extends beyond the initial emergency response. This next phase will offer up to 90 days of housing, with a strategic focus on moving clients into transitional, semi-permanent, or permanent residences within 30 days. Our model incorporates weekly goal setting, personal accountability, and incentives for progress, empowering clients to take ownership of their journey toward self-sufficiency. Non-compliance with agreed-upon goals may result in a temporary suspension of support, underscoring the importance of active participation and commitment to positive change.

Our priority is to support families experiencing homelessness, specifically those with children, as they transition from instability to safety—enabling them to focus on education, health, and overall well-being. We understand that a secure, nurturing environment is foundational for academic and lifelong success.

Streets to Suites is uniquely positioned to drive systemic impact—not only for individuals experiencing homelessness, but also for the law enforcement professionals and government officials who serve them. By providing officers with the resources and tools to respond compassionately and effectively in moments of crisis, we reduce unnecessary use of force and arrests, improve public safety outcomes, and protect the mental health of those on the front lines. Our trauma-informed approach restores purpose and empathy to public service, fostering stronger, trust-based relationships between agencies and the communities they serve.

By empowering law enforcement and government partners, Streets to Suites builds bridges between diverse sectors, cultivates collaboration, and advances a shared vision of community wellness and mutual respect. Our goal is to create a model of compassionate intervention that can be scaled and adapted to meet the unique needs of any jurisdiction.

Voices of Our Youth is unwavering in its dedication to improving outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness, while also supporting the well-being and effectiveness of the professionals who assist them. Our vision is a compassionate, equitable community where every person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.

Piloted at the Lancaster Sheriff's Station, each voucher redeemed has provided invaluable insights to refine and expand our program. With proven results and a replicable model, we are now poised to extend Streets to Suites to additional law enforcement agencies and government entities. Recognizing that each community faces distinct challenges, we are committed to developing customized solutions and fostering partnerships that maximize local impact. Our ultimate objective is to scale the initiative to all 23 stations within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, leveraging robust program development, strategic partnerships, diversified funding, and sustained momentum to drive region-wide transformation and ultimately statewide, and nationwide transformation.