The Iowa Homeless Youth Center and YSS provide housing for youths who have aged out of the foster system, or been otherwise turned away by their families…and gives them the chance they need to start their lives as adults.
Anupam Mittra and Montgomery Cason spoke to the Rotary Club of HOPE at its October 1st meeting. They outlined how the IHYC gives youths who have no home or income and who would be at risk in an adult shelter, a safer environment to help them with the transition.
Reggie Kelsey was one such youth; he aged out of foster care in 2000, and was later found dead under a bridge because he had no safe place to go to. Reggie's Sleepout is held each year in his honor, with participants spending the night in cardboard shelters on the Drake University football field.
This year's Sleepout will be on Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th; participants and volunteers are still welcome.