Teen Outreach Program

The Teen Outreach Program is a source of support for teens with unstable housing. We work with each student on a one-to-one basis, empowering them to problem-solve, meet basic needs, and create a plan to stay on track in school. For juniors and seniors, we focus on college and/or career planning.

Interested teens can sign up here to join the program.

HCEF offers a teen-focused and young adult program consisting of five key components:

Shelter-based College & Career Readiness Program:

HCEF assists shelter residents and their families in development of a vision for the future that includes educational and career goals, and development of the skills necessary to pursue that vision.

Targeted High School Outreach within Schools:

Collaborating with local schools and their guidance department teams, HCEF supports school personnel and students experiencing homelessness to develop a road map to pursue their educational and career goals.

Peer and Professional Support Networks:

Support networks are comprised of current high school students and formerly homeless youth who are enrolled in post-secondary educational programs. Youth and professional advisers offer support to youth participating in the Teen Outreach Program. HCEF equips students with the skills needed to navigate college admissions, the financial aid process, and provide career guidance to further their dreams.

Educational and Recreational Opportunities:

HCEF offers an array of community engagement activities to further student development into independent and empowered young adults. These opportunities focus on creative expression, educational enrichment, service learning, career training and entrepreneurship, health and wellness, civic engagement, and leadership and are accessible to program participants in their schools and local neighborhoods.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills:

HCEF offers trained facilitators who can deliver the DBT STEPS-A curriculum. The curriculum was developed by Dr. James Mazza and Dr. Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza and is designed to help adolescents develop coping strategies and decision-making abilities, especially under emotional distress. The DBT STEPS-A curriculum is based on the skills component of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that has been shown to be effective with both adults and adolescents experiencing mild to severe levels of emotional and behavioral difficulties.
For more information visit www.dbtinschools.com.

over youth
participated in tutoring, enrichment, and college/career guidance through the Teen Outreach Program in 2023

Interested in enrolling into the Teen Outreach Program? Sign up here or reach out to our TOP Advocates:

Terrel Williams
Teen Outreach Program Manager
Office: 412-562-0154 ext. 304 | Cell: 412-912-6832
twilliams@homelessfund.org

Patience Baker
Teen Outreach Coordinator
Office: 412-562-0154 ext. 304 | Cell: 412-403-5905
pbaker@homelessfund.org