Larkin Street’s 2021 Annual Impact Report Released
Thanks to your support, more than 1,633 young people experiencing homelessness received the support they needed to thrive!
Read more about our results, financials, supporters, events and special guests throughout the last year in our 2021 Annual Impact Report:
Below, we’re including the full text of the letter from our Executive Director, Sherilyn Adams, and Board Chair, Susan K. Alexander, with their update on the past year, and what’s ahead:
Dear Friends,
We at Larkin Street have been overwhelmed by the tremendous support we have received this past year from all of you. Without a doubt, it’s been another unpredictable year and we want to acknowledge the challenges we’ve all faced in managing so much uncertainty. Thank YOU for showing up and supporting young people during this time!
Despite this year’s unprecedented challenges, Larkin Street remained nimble and pivoted to get young people inside as well as expand housing options. Even as the shelter system closed in response to the pandemic, we kept our emergency services open. Our enhanced emergency response allowed young people to
access emergency shelter—and for those in time-limited housing to stay longer through the crisis. Your support made these critical services possible.
This year brought increased recognition around the gravity, scope, and needs of young people impacted by homelessness, especially here in California, where 77% of the youth served by Larkin Street are from. We know more young people are reporting sheltering in unsafe situations, harsh economic impacts, and
disconnection from education. The pandemic continues to drive risk factors for youth homelessness, especially among younger youth. We’re watching closely and stand ready to respond to what might be a new wave of homelessness.
Larkin Street remains committed to keeping young people safe through our onsite vaccination clinic as well as by expanding our rapid rehousing options, like Casa Adalante and Rising Up. We are optimistic we can meet this need since we have seen a reduction year over year in youth homelessness thanks to increased attention and advocacy from all of you. We celebrate Mayor London Breed, Senator Scott Wiener, and Assemblymember Phil Ting for their investments in young people. Now is the time for private investments in education, employment, youth leadership, and behavioral health to ensure young people don’t just come inside but thrive.
We would also like to share our deep gratitude and appreciation for Larkin Street staff, who day after day, show up in their various areas of expertise to support and advocate for youth. We want you to know we are committed to wage equity and wage parity as part of our racial and economic justice agenda for staff, young people, and beyond. We could not do this work without a community that supports and believes in our city’s young people and in a future without youth homelessness. Thank you for your ongoing support and for joining with us in the realization of this bold vision.
Click below to review more data insights and see the progress we have made together in the mission to end youth homelessness.
In Community,
Sherilyn and Suzi
