Programs
Youth Essentials & Resource Connection Program
Meeting Essential Needs. Connecting Youth to Resources.
The Youth Essentials & Resource Connection Program is Youth Talk United's current program, designed to support young people ages 13–24 who are experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or unmet essential needs.
Through partnerships with shelters, transitional housing programs, schools, nonprofit organizations, and other youth-serving agencies, we provide essential needs kits and connections to existing community resources.
Who We Serve
Our program serves young people ages 13–24 who:
Are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Are living in emergency or transitional housing.
Are transitioning into independent living.
Have an unmet essential need identified by a youth-serving organization.
Need personal care or basic household supplies to support participation in school, employment, housing, or other community services.
What the Program Provides:
Youth Essential Needs Kits
We assemble and distribute practical supplies based on the needs identified by young people and our community partners.
Kits may include:
Personal-care and hygiene necessities.
Toiletries and basic comfort items.
Socks, towels, and other personal essentials.
Basic household supplies for young people transitioning into independent living.
Other essential items based on documented requests and available resources.
Kit contents are flexible. We work with partners to prioritize the items young people need most and avoid unnecessary duplication.
Junior Change Agents (JCA)
Through our Junior Change Agents Program we are supporting emotional wellness, teaching life skills, and reinforcing civic engagement. Young people have ongoing and direct access to mentors, create friendships and participate in group meetings, experience learning through field trips and volunteerism. They engage and build community with their peers via group chat and meet at least twice per month. We discuss topics like self-esteem and identity, social groups, goal setting, decision-making, healthy mindsets, and related subjects.
Twice a year our Junior Change Agents help us design and deliver outreach events. Research has shown that teens who engage in community service are more responsible with higher self-esteem and resilience. Volunteering helps the teens gain new skills necessary for the job market such as leadership, communication skills, dependability, time management, and decision making.