HUCKLEBERRY YOUTH PROGRAMS INC

HUCKLEBERRY HOUSE - THE AGENCY BEGAN IN 1967 WITH THE CREATION OF HUCKLEBERRY HOUSE, THE FIRST ADOLESCENT CRISIS SHELTER IN THE COUNTRY AND THE MODEL FOR ALL ADOLESCENT SHELTERS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT. HUCKLEBERRY HOUSE WAS DEVELOPED AS A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAME TO SAN FRANCISCO IN THE LATE 1960S, SOME OF WHOM WERE FLEEING FROM DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AND NEEDED HELP ON THE ROAD TO BECOMING HEALTHY, RESPONSIBLE ADULTS.HUCKLEBERRY HOUSE IS A PRIMARY SERVICE LOCATION IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 12-17 (AND 18 YEAR OLDS ENROLLED IN SCHOOL) WHO ARE EXPERIENCING INSTABILITY IN THEIR LIVES AND HOUSING SITUATIONS. OUR PRIMARY GOAL AT HUCKLEBERRY HOUSE IS TO ENSURE THESE YOUTH ARE PROVIDED A SAFE SPACE TO IDENTIFY NEXT STEPS, LEARN ABOUT RESOURCES, AND DEVELOP NEW SKILLS. WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING SHORT TERM SHELTER, CASE MANAGEMENT, LINKAGE TO RESOURCES, INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, CRISIS PHONE LINE COUNSELING, AND AFTERCARE SERVICES. YOUTH WHO STAY IN THE PROGRAM ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, HYGIENE SUPPLIES, EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES, AND CLOTHING. RECREATION AND LIFE SKILLS ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO INCORPORATED INTO THE SHELTER PROGRAM. THE SHELTER PROVIDES SERVICES TO AN AVERAGE OF 160 YOUTH ANNUALLY.

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND RESOURCE CENTER HUCKLEBERRY'S COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND RESOURCE CENTER ("CARC") IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY-BASED JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. MANAGED BY HUCKLEBERRY FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CARC PROVIDES A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION, ASSESSMENT, SERVICE INTEGRATION, AND REHABILITATION FOR 356 YOUTH - ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE YOUTH ARRESTED ANNUALLY IN THE COUNTY. CARC CASE MANAGERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY WORKED WITH YOUTH TO REINTEGRATE THEM INTO SCHOOLS, ARRANGE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, OBTAIN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PROBATION REQUIREMENTS, AND ENGAGE YOUTH IN SOCIAL, ARTS, ATHLETIC, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.