Gateway Youth Services is the newest division of Child and Family Charities, but not new to preventing and ending youth homelessness in the tri-county (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton) area. Gateway Community Services has been working with runaway, homeless, and street youth since 1970. In October of 2014, Gateway Community Services merged with Child and Family Charities in order to strengthen programs and services for vulnerable youth. Since Gateway’s primary service population is youth, the new division adopted the name “Gateway Youth Services.”
Gateway Youth Services primary goals are:
- To prevent youth from running away from home by providing supportive services to resolve family conflict.
- To reunify youth who have run away from home with their families whenever family conflict can be safely remedied.
- To identify safe living alternatives for youth when family reunification is not possible or in the best interest of the youth or family.
- To help young people successfully transition from adolescence to independence.
Programs, Hours of Operation, and Contact Information
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: Contact the crisis hotline 24 hours a day at 517-882-7217 or toll free at 877-833-3689 for support, information, and referral. Hotline is available for youth, parents, family members, and concerned citizens.
Street Outreach Program: For youth who are hesitant to commit to shelter services or do not know what services may exist for them; Street Outreach team members fill the gap by educating youth about their options, providing emergency basic care needs items (food, clothing, hygiene products, baby items, safe sex supplies) until longer term supportive services can be arranged.
Contact the 24-hour crisis hotline to schedule a time and location where the Street Team can come to you. 517-882-7217 or toll free at 1-877-833-3689