The Salvation Army The Way In Youth Services

Started in 1994, The Salvation Army The Way In was founded to help children escape Hollywood street life and provide a home-like environment in which abused and or neglected teenagers could live safely as they matured into productive and independent young adults. Through a close-knit network of shelter programs and area agencies, The Way In helps to provide viable solutions to the problem of homeless youth living on the streets of Los Angeles. The program makes services available to kids in need who are without a voice and who are cut off from society. The Center provides many youth with their first contact for basic survival, medical, legal, and social services, in addition to acute crisis intervention and case management.

A thorough needs assessment is completed for each client in order to identify needed services including health care, substance abuse treatment, education, employment readiness and placement, life skills training and social and emotional support. Goals of the program include: addressing the immediate needs of homeless youth; providing them tools to facilitate their personal growth; and helping them to reunite with their families or move into other appropriate placements or living arrangements.

Our Services

Although it can sometimes be difficult dealing with street youth in Hollywood, these teen's attitudes are a reflection of their resiliency and willingness to carry on in the face of major hardship. The staff at The Way In shows these teens that everyone deserves a helping hand. The following are services provided at the Way In:

Independent Living Program

• The Way In's Independent Living Program provides apartments for older youth ages 18-21, and allows them to experience the independence of being an adult with the helping hand we all need when starting out. This twenty-bed, alcohol and drug-free program is designed for at-risk youth of legal age with no family or options available to help them to become independent and self-sufficient. During their up to eighteen-month stay, residents are required to continue high school, pursue further education, or enroll in vocational training. They also attend weekly counseling and case management sessions, participate in life skills training and attend monthly house meetings. Residents receive training in job skills and are aided in securing and maintaining employment. Residents must pay 30% of their gross income towards monthly rent, as well as make monthly savings contributions, to aid in their achievement of independent living.