We’re excited to share that Larkin Street Youth Services was mentioned in a recent press release by the Golden State Warriors and the NBA, celebrating Warriors CFO Josh Proctor as San Francisco Business Times Bay Area CFO of the Year in the non-public company category. This honor was awarded at the Bay Area CFO of…
Larkin Street Youth Services was recently featured in The Marin Lawyer, the official publication of the Marin County Bar Association, in an article discussing the Bay Area’s housing affordability crisis and its impact on homelessness. Written by Emily Harrington, the article, “How Nonprofits Are Tackling Homelessness and How You Can Help: Interviews with St. Vincent…
Morgan Philbin’s article, “The Shelter System Isn’t Equipped for LGBTQ+ Youth,” highlights the significant challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. These young people often encounter barriers in shelters due to family rejection, rising hate crimes, and discriminatory policies. The urgency of this issue is underscored by a nationwide study of nearly 35,000 LGBTQ+ youth.…
We are thrilled to announce that our CEO, Sherilyn Adams, and CSO, Ilsa Lund, co-authored a groundbreaking article recently published in the prestigious Frontiers in Public Health. The article, “Keeping Young Researchers Out of Harm’s Way: Conducting Youth Participatory Action Research with Young People Experiencing Homelessness,” explores innovative research methodologies that involve youth experiencing homelessness…
Dear friends, It is with a heavy heart that I address the recent Grants Pass v. Johnson decision. This ruling allows police to arrest individuals experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside, even if they have nowhere else to go. Larkin Street is opposed to any criminalization of homelessness, and months ago, signed onto an amicus brief…
Dear Larkin Street Family, Happy Pride Month! Celebrating 40 years of service, we look back to 2004 when we launched the Castro Youth Housing Initiative (CYHI), providing a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth. I vividly remember handing out welcome packages, each with an alarm clock, to our first residents. Today, despite facing legislative threats and…
Celebrating Larkin Street Youth Services 40 Years of Impact This year marks a monumental milestone for Larkin Street as we celebrate 40 years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to addressing youth homelessness. As part of our celebration, we invite you to explore our anniversary publication, “40 Years of Impact,” a comprehensive look back at…
Dear Larkin Street Family, As I reflect on our Paving the Way Gala, my heart is filled with gratitude. Celebrating 40 years of dedication to Larkin Street’s mission was deeply meaningful. The evening was a gathering filled with laughter, unity, and a renewed commitment to ending youth homelessness. Your generous contributions have truly made a…
Larkin Street Youth Services Marks a Significant Achievement with The Lark Inn’s Award Larkin Street Youth Services is delighted to share a pivotal accomplishment: The Lark Inn has been recognized with the 2023 Gensler Community Impact Award in the “Housing & Homelessness” category. This award signifies our steadfast commitment to supporting youth experiencing homelessness in…
In February, Senator Butler’s visit to Larkin Street sparked a productive dialogue led by our CEO, Sherilyn Adams, and Chief of Programs, Candice Thomas. They discussed enhancing government support and finding comprehensive solutions for trafficking and homelessness. Senator Butler’s engagement underscored the transformative potential of collaborative efforts. Since 1984, Larkin Street has been supporting San Francisco’s youth,…
As Black History Month wraps up, we’re reminded that celebrating Black excellence is something we should do every day, not just in February. At Larkin Street Youth Services, we’re proud to share the stories of our team members who really stand out for their leadership, strength, and commitment. Their experiences inspire us to keep the…
During Black History Month, Larkin Street is honored to showcase the remarkable achievements of our Black team members. We celebrate the exceptional work of Olaywa Austin, Asha Robertson, and Deon D. Price. Olaywa Austin, Culture & Learning Manager, Culture & Learning DepartmentOlaywa enriches our team with a unique blend of experiences, from winning a 3rd…
As Black History Month unfolds, Larkin Street takes great pride in highlighting the incredible contributions of our Black staff members. Among the standouts are Linease Buckner, Kenyaun Christie, and Ruth Alexander. Linease Buckner, Program Manager, Turning PointLinease joined Larkin Street in August 2022, playing a pivotal role in the critical phase of launching our first…
Larkin Street Youth Services is pleased to announce that we have received a grant from the Airbnb Community Fund. This support is a meaningful contribution to our ongoing efforts to assist young people experiencing homelessness. We extend our gratitude to Airbnb and its host community for their partnership and commitment to strengthening communities. Elevating Our…
Honoring the Legacy of Jo Kennedy At Larkin Street Youth Services, we honor those whose lives reflect a deep commitment to service, learning, and community. Jo Kennedy is one such individual, whose legacy continues to inspire our work with young people in San Francisco. Born to Hugh Kennedy, an Irish immigrant who arrived in the…
For trans and gender-nonconforming youth, Larkin Street Youth Services continues to provide housing and comprehensive support services, including medical care, food assistance, employment support, and education programs. “A high percentage of LGBTQ young people experience homelessness because of family or community rejection. They’re not able to stay with their parents, guardians, or whoever they were…
Celebrating Sherilyn Adams20 Years of Visionary Leadership Two Decades at Larkin Street: A Wake-Up Call That Shaped Our DirectionReflecting on the past twenty years at Larkin Street, it became increasingly clear that many young people were in need but remained unseen. This realization underscored the need to strengthen our efforts—not only in resources, but in…
Thanks to your support, more than 1,735 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 2023 Annual Impact Report: Below, we’re including the full text of the letter from our Executive Director, Sherilyn Adams, and…
Last month, we marked a significant milestone for our Mission Inn housing site: its one-year anniversary. This occasion was not just about the passage of time, but a celebration of resilience and the power of community collaboration. Over the course of its first year, Mission Inn has become more than a housing program—it has grown…
The spotlight was on the young and talented participants of Larkin Street Youth Services during two unforgettable evenings of artistic expression at the recent Performing Arts Night. This event was a testament to the creativity and determination of youth who took the stage to showcase singing, dancing, and poetry. The performances were filled with energy,…