Fulton County’s Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities will host Street Outreach Services (S.O.S.) along with nine other organizations to provide necessary services to young homeless adults 18-24 on January 17, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  S.O.S will serve young adults from Charles L. Harper Park (Next to the Asby Street MARTA Train Station) at Ashby Street and Mayson Turner Road NW, Atlanta Georgia.  
 
Participating agencies include: CHRIS 180, Covenant House, StandUp For Kids, JUSTICE FOR ALL COALITION, INC.,  Greater Vine City Opportunities Program, Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, the Atlanta Police Department, Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, and Lost-n-Found Youth 
 
Available Services will include: 

• Assistance with Identification and important documents
• STI Testing
• Hygiene Kits
• Food
• Mental Health Services
• Resources Connections
• Housing Assessments 

Why is the provision of services to homeless young adults so vital? According to nationally known child advocates at Covenant House:  

• There are more than 3,300 Homeless Youth in Atlanta.
• 50% of young people aging out of the foster care system will be homeless within 6 months because, without a stable home life, they never learned the skills needed to live independently. 
• Within 72 hours of being on the streets, a homeless youth is approached for sex. 49% of homeless youth have been sexually exploited.
• Though only 7% of the general population of youth identify as LGBT, 40% of homeless youth are LGBT. Also, LGBT youth are more likely to be victimized than non-LGBT youth on the streets.
• 72% of homeless youth have experienced or witnessed violence.
• 42% of homeless youth have experienced abuse as a child.

There is a 19% unemployment rate for 16-19 year olds - higher for at-risk youth. This leaves many without options to escape homelessness. 
 
For more information, contact Afrika Cotton, program manager for the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities at 404-613-1005.