In Santa Monica, homelessness is no longer just a problem, but a city-declared local emergency. While Santa Monica witnessed a 6% decrease in homelessness over the past year (according to LAHSA’s annual count), there was a dramatic 15% increase from 2022 to 2023. Moreover, California accounts for 28% of the nation’s unhoused population, which is nearly a 40% increase from five years ago.
On July 25, however, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order directing state officials to remove homeless encampments, meaning accessible resources are essential now more than ever. Throughout LA’s Westside, there are multiple agencies and organizations working on a local level to address this crisis. The Daily Press is taking a closer look at the services the city of Santa Monica provides, providing profiles and resources to help bring awareness to community members and this week's coverage is on the Safe Place for Youth.
Half of chronically homeless adults first experienced homelessness as youth (LAHSA); therefore by focusing on youth homelessness, Safe Place for Youth is working diligently to lower the overall number of those experiencing homelessness.
Safe Place for Youth is one of the leading service providers in LA for youth experiencing homelessness, offering a variety of wraparound services, including housing and supportive services, and advocating around policy issues related to youth homelessness.
SPY was founded in 2011 in Venice, CA as what was originally a 100% volunteer-led organization. Since then, they have grown to house a professional staff of nearly 80 employees. They serve youth ranging from 12 to 25 years old who are either experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, serving 1,718 youth from 2022-23.
Mary McGuire, the Chief Impact Officer at Safe Place for Youth, touches on what makes SPY stand out from other organizations.
“It really is a community of youth that have come together,” McGuire said. “We have a high number of our staff who have lived experience, have a deep understanding of what youth are going through, and are able to really be and become that supportive network for the youth as they're trying to get their lives together.”
At SPY’s Access Center, located at 340 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291, youth are able to come in and get whatever they need, whether that be a meal or hygiene items, or mental health treatment and support from case management staff.
They may also engage in SPY programs, honing skills that they can utilize in the future. The Healing Arts program promotes creative self-expression in order to foster social and mental wellbeing. Also offered is the Education and Employment program, which helps youth finish education or find employment — preparing them through job readiness prep, internships, and educational opportunities or vocational training. Part of this program is the Community Garden (681 N. Venice Blvd), which aims to provide youth with general life and employment skills, through paid garden internships, while also addressing food inequality. Aside from providing basic survival needs and teaching valuable skills, ultimately, SPY is a place where community is built.
Safe Place for Youth is also extremely diligent in finding a bed for any youth willing to take one; they don’t exit any youth into the street without housing. They have seven housing sites (and two more additional time limited subsidy programs, allowing them to provide rental assistance to youth moving into apartments on their own), including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent housing. They also offer transitional housing specifically for pregnant and parenting youth; “the Nest,” designed for this purpose, now has two locations in Los Angeles.
“Youth are really just often one opportunity away from successfully being housed, and when they have the support of an adult, that's very often all that's needed to help them thrive — a support network and some assistance in developing life skills. They've just really not had that opportunity,” McGuire said.
25 year old Stefan Strunk was given that opportunity by Safe Place for Youth. He made it to Los Angeles about a year and a half ago to pursue acting, but after searching for housing for a while without any luck, he eventually became homeless. Sanchez couch hopped for a while, then found himself sleeping on trains, outside laundromats, or wherever he could take a nap.
After someone referred Strunk to Safe Place for Youth, it took only 48 hours to place him in a temporary shelter, and in less than three days, he was back on his feet, working again. Strunk said he had never met a more welcoming group of people.
“I remember my first day, I almost wanted to cry because it felt like people actually cared,” Strunk said. “Because for months when you’re homeless, no one cares, and you walk in and it’s so many people trying to take care of you. It’s almost overwhelming.”
While Strunk is no longer unhoused, now owning his own apartment and car, he still visits SPY to receive their services whenever necessary. He remains a part of their SPY Squad, which is a self-led group of SPY members who work to improve the situation for the greater unhoused youth community — traveling to meet with public officials and policymakers across California.
Recent 2024 LAHSA homeless count numbers have shown that youth homelessness is actually decreasing, at 16.2%. Positive statistics like this push SPY to continue what they are doing — empowering youth experiencing homelessness by providing them with a home, community, support, both physically and emotionally, and hope.
“I almost feel like I would not be around if not for Safe Place for Youth. Before I was a part of SPY, I felt like there was no hope for me, and there was no way for me to go. I was willing to just not try anymore,” Strunk said. “I feel like they saved my life, metaphorically and physically — I felt rejuvenated. I had lost all my passions and hope [...] and I just accepted my fate. And then once I found them, it made me realize that that’s not the end, and I started to gain hope.”
Sienna Bevan, Daily Press intern
