Youth Empowered Society
No Baltimore Youth has to Sleep Outside
YES does not operate a shelter, but we work hand-in-hand with those who do. We maintain active partnerships with housing and homelessness agencies to ensure our youth secure safe accommodations. For emergency shelter, we can refer to youth-specific shelters, such as the HEBCAC NEST Youth Shelter (for individuals aged 18–24), and other crisis housing options in the city. Our team also works with the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and the Continuum of Care’s youth coordinators to advocate for more youth housing resources. Through these collaborations, YES helps prioritize young people for available housing slots and keeps youth informed about transitional housing programs, host homes, and other innovative housing solutions. Importantly, we teach youth self-advocacy in the housing system – for example, how to appeal a shelter denial or how to request reasonable accommodations. Together with our partners, we’re pushing for housing-focused advocacy so that no Baltimore youth has to sleep outside.