Transitional Age Youth ( TAY ), ages 16-25 , are the most underserved of the entire homeless community and yet this pivotal age presents tremendous opportunity to prevent a lifetime of homelessness . With adult compassion and guidance , these youth can complete their education , get jobs , get off the streets and build a life filled with hope and opportunity .
Nearly all homeless TAY are traumatized and distrustful due to the abuse , rejection and victimization they have endured . As a result , lack of trust is the greatest barrier to helping them . The Doors of Change Taking Music & Art to the Streets ( TMATS ) program is uniquely successful in building trust with homeless youth very quickly .
Doors of Change staff and volunteers reach out to homeless youth on outreach by offering snacks , water and other necessities . Youth are invited to attend TMATS , where they receive a meal and art or music lessons . Wraparound services , including clothing , haircuts , case management and housing , are also available .
Youth are incentivized to return - after attending 6 lessons they earn art supplies or a musical instrument : a guitar , ukulele , mandolin , keyboard , violin , drums , harmonica … whichever instrument they have learned to play . This approach makes all the difference in helping homeless youth . Not only
Doors of Change founder Jeffrey Sitacov with BB King with a guitar signed for one of their previous auctions
have they earned something that provides an opportunity to earn income on the streets , but they have also learned to set and reach a goal . Many feel a sense of accomplishment for the first time in their lives . Furthermore , this approach has proven to build trust with homeless youth months sooner than traditional outreach alone .
Once they trust Doors of Change , homeless youth are receptive to case management services that help them obtain state ID , health care ( including mental health referrals ), job training and housing . Doors of Change networks with a myriad of local community and government agencies to quickly get youth the help they need to get off the streets . Since its inception in 2001 , Doors of Change has helped more than 2,200 homeless youth get off the streets into safe housing .
Doors of Change will celebrate its 20th Anniversary of helping homeless youth at Bubbles & Brunch , a champagne brunch at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines on October 24 . Community leader and philanthropist Kristi Pieper is the Chair of this signature event and is delighted to welcome you to join her . During the event a live auction will feature signed memorabilia from Billy Joel , Bruce Springsteen , Jerry Seinfeld , Chris Isaak and others .
For more information visit www . doorsofchange . org .
Event Chair Kristi Pieper
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