A new homeless youth resource center called "The YOU" is getting ready to open its doors to the public. The resource center isn't a shelter for teens to stay at night, but it is a place to go during the day for homeless, runaway, or at-risk youth. The center provides a variety of services for youth in the community.
We talked to homeless youth today about how the resources available will help them get back on the right track.
The YOU is where youth under the age of 20 are allowed to stop by for a variety of resources. Most importantly, it's a place for them to feel safe.
For Sean Lee Beach, a 20 year old homeless youth living out on the streets, he says this place will help him tremendously.
"I don't have a place to be. I'm always walking around town endlessly, looking for something to do or someone to hang out with,” said Beach. “So a spot to go kick it would be awesome and shower, eat, wash-up."
Beach was kicked out of his home in California and was sent here to live in Reno with another relative, and he says that's where it all started.
“It was like five months into me living out here when i started to get high. So meth is actually one of the main things that messed up my life, but recently I've had it under control,” said Beach.
Lynette Eddy wants to help young people struggling, like Sean Lee. She is the founder of this organization and she hopes this place will guide youth in the right direction.
"The youth can come in and be in a positive, inspiring place with all the services available and just to have their own place, rather than out on the streets,” said Eddy.
The facility provides internet access and books to study, showers to clean up, laundry, and even a place to grab some food and water.
Eddy says that there are several services available as well, "Anything from getting a job, going back to school, substance abuse groups, emergency services. Just about everything and if we don't have it right here, we'll know someone to call.”
Tommy Martin was homeless for a brief time in the past and says that substance abuse is one of the main struggles for teens.
“Drugs were introduced and then drugs were involved. And from there it was just a downhill spiral. I had no grownups in my life to point me in the right direction,” said Martin.
Martin now volunteers at the YOUth Resource Center. After getting clean, Martin joined the Eddy House, another facility organized by Lynette Eddy. This home houses aged-out foster teens. Martin now is the Residential Advisor for six other boys who live there.
“A lot of kids don't know how to better themselves so you just come in to the resource center, the you, the drop in, and tell us what you need and we'll do our best to get you there,” said Martin.
And for Sean Lee and his friend Josh, they hope this resource center will not only benefit themselves, but other homeless youth out in the community too.
"It's a good way to keep people's minds entertained instead of out here smoking pot or getting high,” said Beach.
The resource center isn't officially opened yet for another couple weeks, but they have had teens stop by for their services already. On Thursday night, their fundraiser at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino is sold out. Over 30,000 dollars earned from it will go towards their efforts to help homeless youth.
