Streets to Suites Program

Our Streets 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, 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.