January 2012
Right on the Money: Five Fundraising Resolutions for the New Year
Here’s a fact: People – as opposed to corporations and foundations – give 80 percent of philanthropic dollars each year in the United States.
And here’s a myth: People are giving less to charity because of the recession.
Kim Klein, an Oakland, CA, fundraising consultant says that while corporate and foundation giving has dipped, individual giving has stayed constant for the past few years.
More reason, she says, why youth-serving nonprofits should focus on bolstering support from people in the new year.
Primary Sources: Patterns of Youth Homelessness Over Time
"Finding Shelter: Two-Year Housing Trajectories Among Homeless Youth" (abstract), Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol. 49, No. 6, December 2011.
What it’s about: This study follows 426 youth, ages 14 to 24, over two years. The researchers were interested in documenting patterns of youth homelessness. They also wanted to find out what factors might predict whether young people find reliable housing or become chronically homeless.
Bright Idea: Finding Creative Ways to Engage Homeless Youth
At the Orion Center in Seattle, young people learn yoga, rock climbing and knitting. They make greeting cards and mosaics, and play guitar or drums during jam sessions with professional musicians.
But Director Ruth Blaw is quick to emphasize, “We’re not a rec center.”
Primary Sources: Do Homeless Youth with Abuse Histories Want Help Dealing with Trauma?
“Screening homeless youth for histories of abuse: Prevalence, enduring effects, and interest in treatment” (abstract), Child Abuse & Neglect, 35(5), June 2011.
New Year's Resolutions for Youth Workers: 1. Learn More About Trauma-Informed Care
Research suggests that most homeless youth have experienced multiple traumatic events both before becoming homeless and once on the street.Youth workers who take a trauma-informed approach ask their young people, "What's happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?"
As trauma-informed care has become standard at many youth-serving organizations, NCFY has covered the approach in several podcasts and Primary Sources articles and in an issue of our periodical for youth workers, The Exchange.
New Year's Resolutions for Youth Workers: 3. Write an Elevator Speech
An elevator speech -- a short pitch about what your organization does and why you do it -- is a great way to promote your work to potential donors, volunteers, clients and collaborators. Last year, NCFY asked about a half dozen youth workers to share their elevator speeches. Watch them for ideas about how to make your own pitch.
New Year's Resolutions for Youth Workers: 2. Raise More Money
Want to learn more about fundraising in the new year? NCFY's got a ton of resources to help youth workers raise money for their organizations.
Get the Facts About Food Stamps and Homelessness
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called SNAP or food stamps, helps bring healthy food to those who can't afford it. But many eligible people -- including homeless youth -- don't realize they qualify. "Ten Myths and Facts About SNAP for Homeless Persons" (PDF, 144KB) comes straight from the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service and clarifies common misperceptions about SNAP.
Financial Literacy Tips for Young Adults
Today's youth live in a tough economic climate. They need to know the importance of managing money well. National Public Radio's special series Money Counts: Young Adults and Financial Literacy, which first ran last May, includes videos, articles and resources to help young people set a budget, save money and stay financially afloat.
Youth can use the series to:
Toolkits on Helping Homeless Youth Stay in School (and Go to College)
The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth has three new toolkits with information about supporting unaccompanied homeless youth, who are not living with their families, in school and out:
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