Since we started in 1978, New Horizons has
moved to several different neighborhoods in Seattle. Our location
may have changed over the years, but our services have continued
and grown. We have settled into a permanent location in the Belltown
area of Seattle. Although the drop-in center is where immediate
needs of the youth can be met, our services extend far beyond this
building. Importance is placed on building trusting relationships
with the youth in order to facilitate a healthy continuum of care
and transition from street culture.
Our drop-in center is open designated
hours during the day and evening. We provide clothing, meals, showers,
laundry services, a mail and message center, crisis counseling as
well as referral and case management. Before and during drop-in
we have outreach staff who walk throughout Seattle meeting youth new to the streets or meeting youth they already know. In addition to regular outreach and drop-in scheduling, staff follow-up with youth outside the drop-in center. Follow-up can take many forms depending on the needs of the youth. Sometimes follow-up is determined by circumstance: visiting youth who are in detention or the hospital, and assisting youth as they navigate other social services. At other times, follow-up consists of building a relationship through simple things like playing sports, going to movies, visiting the zoo, or celebrating a birthday. A more formal referral process is initiated for youth needing housing, employment, education, medical assistance, help getting out of the sex industry, and drug or alcohol rehabilitation.
Our volunteer outreach staff are supported by a full-time case management team. As a Christ-centered agency, staff share their faith by being in consistent and genuine relationships with the youth and by giving the youth a chance to make their own decisions about spiritual beliefs. Through our
Discipleship Program, staff provide opportunities for youth
to grow in their faith. This program also offers a safe place to
raise questions, challenge ideas, or seek clarification and observations
from others who are seeking after God.
In 1999, New Horizons began to look more closely at the cycle of street life that seems to trap out youth. We wanted to better understand the difficulties encountered when trying to interrupt this cycle. It became clear that lack of material resources is only one of a host of reasons youth stay on the streets. We were only addressing part of the cycle; we needed to create additional opportunities for youth to choose something other then what they had known.
In July of 2001 we started two new programs in response to these insights. The
Life Discovery Program offers a wide variety of activities
that help youth discover their natural skills and life passions,
gain a sense of future, and experience contributing something positive
to their environment. There is a range of activities they can participate
in including a writing Group, art projects or cooking classes. The Adaptive Life Skills Mentorship Program offers grace-filled work environments in which youth can learn basic life skills, such as working under authority, having a positive work ethic, and accepting and offering help. Current mentorships are Computer Technology, Food Service, Office Administration, and Facilities Management.
The Bridge
In 2008 NHM expanded the continuum of care. The Bridge is a next step in helping youth make the transition away from street life. The Bridge is specifically designed to support youth who are in the Mentorship and Life Discovery Programs.
The Bridge runs throughout the year and is comprised of community building experiences (CBE) facilitated in various venues including: field trips, dinner table, game nights, and in-house activites. The program is designed to support youth who have expressed an interest and demonstrated commitment
to transitioning off the streets. The Bridge provides continued opportunity for youth in the mentorship program and youth currently on the waitlist to build community and engage maintream society. The "bridge" supports transtioning youth by closing a service gap for them in our continuum of care. By recognizing the importance of helping youth who are ready to connect with their community, the
Bridge provides an opportunity for our youth to form a stronger sense of identity away from the street, and integrate back into the larger community
In the future we hope to offer services that maintain this continuum of care for youth on their path off the streets. These could include various forms of supportive housing and drug and alcohol treatment.
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