Dear Friends,
This summer, I find myself reflecting on what this season means for the young people we serve. But for youth experiencing homelessness, it can bring greater uncertainty. The meals they relied on at school disappear. Daily routines vanish.
This has been a season of both meaningful progress and sobering news. There was a real win: rapid rehousing is included in the Mayor’s budget. But it arrives alongside two hard losses:
One of our longest-standing programs—a clinic that has cared for young people since Larkin Street opened over 40 years ago—will close on October 31. CalOES funding, which supports emergency services for youth, was left out of the Governor’s budget.
CalOES meets a young person’s most urgent needs in a moment of crisis—a meal, a safe place to sleep, an emergency bed. That first moment of safety is frequently the bridge to deeper support like case management, health care, counseling, stable housing, and a path forward.
These are the moments that test us. They are also the moments that remind me why advocacy, partnerships, and your support matter more than ever.
This summer, we celebrated the graduation of our Larkin Street Academy class—and three valedictorians: Levar, Deani, and Demareya, whose journeys reflect what’s possible when young people are met with support.
I am hopeful because of the resilience I see in young people every day, because of staff who show up with compassion and creativity, and because of supporters like you who continue to stand beside us.
Thank you for believing in our mission, and for helping us keep our doors open, our programs strong, and our vision bold. There is a young person who will walk through our doors today looking for hope. Because of your continued support, they will find it.
With gratitude and fearless resolve,
Sherilyn Adams
CEO, Larkin Street Youth Services
