Youth Reach

YouthReach: Connecting, Supporting, Empowering

 Every night, countless young people in Spokane face the unimaginable challenges of homelessness. These are youth aged 13-24, carrying heavy burdens of family conflict, trauma, and hardship. Our YouthREACH team steps into their world—on the streets, in camps, anywhere they gather—not to judge, but to build trust and show them someone cares. Through small but meaningful acts of kindness, we strive to open a door that can lead them to a brighter future. 

How We Help 
Our dedicated street outreach team connects with young people in crisis by offering essential resources and compassionate care. We provide: 

• Street-based outreach to reconnect youth with services. 

• Collaboration with providers to identify and serve at-risk and homeless youth. 

• A commitment to meet youth within 48 hours to assess needs and create personalized plans. 

• An open-door philosophy—we never say “no” to a youth in need. 

We guide youth to critical services, including: 

• Emergency shelter and housing assessments. 

• Counseling and substance use disorder services. 

• Family reconciliation services. 

• Access to health insurance, hygiene supplies, and emergency food. 

• Education, employment, and legal advocacy. 

Building Trust Through Care 
Since 2008, YouthREACH has been the heart of Crosswalk’s outreach efforts, meeting youth where they are to provide life-saving resources. Our team doesn’t just bring food, water, or bus tickets—they bring hope. Each interaction is a step toward trust, paving the way for youth to seek safety, stability, and opportunity at places like Crosswalk or the Young Adult Shelter. 

YouthREACH team members receive specialized training to identify and assist commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC). These vulnerable youth often face barriers to seeking help, such as fear or lack of recognition of their exploitation. Through trauma-informed conversations and compassionate support, we guide them to safety when they’re ready to take that step. 

Empowered by Peer Outreach Workers 
YouthREACH includes peer outreach workers—young individuals who have lived similar experiences and understand the realities of homelessness. These peers, often alumni of VOA’s youth programs, help bridge gaps by fostering trust and staying connected to where youth in need can be found. Their presence reinforces our belief that every youth deserves a chance at hope and healing. 

Our Community at Work 
VOA is deeply engaged with Spokane, participating in events throughout our community. We share our mission through presentations to churches, civic groups, and schools, and we amplify our efforts online through social media and e-newsletters reaching over 5,000 supporters monthly.