For 20 years Jackson Street Youth Services has helped local teens by offering youth a safe place to live and resources to work through crises and towards a brighter, more stable future. The agency, which was founded on the idea of filling a gap in housing for homeless youth, relies on donations and partnerships.
In April 2022, Jackson Street opened their remodeled 16-bed shelter near Eleanor Hackleman Park in Albany. In turn, the organization will temporarily close the Corvallis location for a “brief refresh.” Once completed, the organization will have nearly 30 beds to house area youth between the ages of 10 and 17 who are experiencing homelessness.
Samaritan has supported the Jackson Street Youth Services since 2007 with Social Accountability grants. These funds assist in providing the beds and basic needs for the youth as well as supporting 18 full-time staff. Each resident receives three full meals a day, along with the care and services needed to give the youth a chance to succeed after exiting the program.
“We also make sure that they get into an education program of their choice and support for extracurricular activities as well as employment,” said Program Director Kendra Phillips-Neal.
The agency maintains a clothing and basic needs closet at the intake side of the shelter so youth can enter the shelter with dignity.
“Samaritan Health Services support has helped Jackson Street provide emergency shelter to youth in Corvallis and Albany as well as outreach and support groups in schools across Benton, Lincoln and Linn County,” said Executive Director Ann Craig. “Community contributions allow us to provide a full continuum of services designed to end youth homelessness.”
