CLEARLAKE?The Clearlake City Council presented a proclamation Thursday to Joel Moore of the Friends of Safe House for Youth designating May as Homeless Youth Awareness Month.
“Homeless youth and children are one of the biggest unknown problems in the U.S. today,” Moore said. “It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. If so, it”s our responsibility to care for and raise these children as if they are our own. We at Safe House have created a safe haven for just a few with the help of the community.”
The proclamation presented by Mayor Chuck Leonard designates May as Homeless Youth Awareness Month as follows:
“WHEREAS, California and the City of Clearlake are strongly committed to seeking ways to assist homeless youth by implementing innovative programs and systems and by putting ?children first”; and
“WHEREAS, children are our most precious resource, and the Lake County Community Action Agency provides critical services to children and families, ensuring children have the opportunity to reach their full potential as productive adults and members of our community; and
“WHEREAS, according to the 2000 Census and annual updates, Lake County has approximately 3000 youth aged 16-19; 656 (22 percent) of these youth are homeless and 369 (12 percent) or these youth are neither in school nor employed; and
“WHEREAS, too many children and youth in Clearlake are forced to flee from unsafe homes due to family violence, drug use, or other dysfunctions only to become vulnerable to making unwise choices that expose them to exploitation, drug use and other risks; and
“WHEREAS, increasing public awareness of the importance of this issue through education, media attention, and outreach will reinforce the need for all parents to take responsibility for the financial, emotional, and physical support of their children; and
“WHEREAS, the first Safe House for Youth in Lake County, which gives youth in need a safe place to live, has been opened after a generous donation from a private party and over two years of hard work by the Friends of Safe House.
“NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE PROCLAIMED that the City Council of the City of Clearlake does herby designate May 2009 as HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH in Clearlake.”
The Safe House program offers up to 30 to 45 consecutive days of safe, appropriate shelter in a home-like, secure setting with clearly enforced rules. Several assistive services are offered onsite to help youth with the various struggles they may be facing. For further information or to refer a child who qualifies for the program please contact New Beginnings at 995-3235.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
