Because of support from our community, Huck House was able to provide 19,691 nights of shelter and over 9,350 hours of life skills and mental health intervention. Those numbers speak to the impact we make for the community, but it is the stories of the youth we serve that describe the life-changing impact of our work. You can read some stories at www.huckhouse.org/annual-report/, but I will also update this page once a week with some success stories. (I can't wait to tell you about Shaniya, Bianca, and Sabrina - all whom have made great progress in the employment goals.)

The Sleep Out is an important night for raising awareness of our community's youth homelessness problem. It is also a chance for us to raise funds to support our proven progams. Public funding for our work is flat at best. While our costs continue to increase, we are expected to house and support more youth each year for the same amounts we have been receiving for over ten years. Our Victim of Crime Act funding was cut by 67% over the past two years, but we continue serving more victims of crime each year.

It truly takes a village. I am inviting you to become part of the Huck House village by registering for or donating to this year's Sleep Out.

March 20, 2022 Page Update

In a two day span earlier this month, three residents of Marsh Brook Place hit some important employment goal milestones. Shaniya was hired at Nationwide Children's Hospital. In the picture shared with me, she proudly showed off her employee badge. Sabrina received her second promotion at Kroger and was making plans to use the education benefit to start work on her EMT certification. And Bianca got a 100% on her training test at Waffle House. Marsh Brook Place is central Ohio's only permanent supportive housing building for 18-24 year olds, and Huck House staff provides all the case management, life skills training, and therapy for its 40 residents. The team at Marsh Brook likes to close messages with "That's a Win!" Wins for Huck House, but most importantly, wins for the young people putting in the hard work. Your support of the Sleep Out makes these wins possible.

March 30, 2022 Page Update

Last night, one of our great community partners, Nationwide Children's Hospital was at Kenmore Square to lead a parenting session for some of the young moms in our housing program. Our development office had arranged for volunteers to provide childcare so the moms could be fully engaged with the instructor. The pictures are adorable - I hope we will find a way to share them today. When I think about being a new parent, I remember my own experience. My mom was with me every day, answering questions and making sure our family's needs were being met. For the young moms we serve in our housing program, there is not always a supportive adult in their lives to guide them and support them. So, working with community partners like NCH fills a big need for the youth we serve. And for their children. Your support of the Sleep Out makes this work possible.

April 6 Update

Rodney Dunigan (WSYX/WTTE) spent time at Kenmore Square today. Angel did a great job. Your support of the Sleep Out helps youth living at Kenmore

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/columbus-franklin-county-ohio-organization-huckleberry-house-shines-light-on-issue-of-teen-homelessness-kenmore-housing-complex-sleep-out-event-4-6-2022

3,000 young people ages 14 to 24 will experience homelessness in Columbus in 2021.

Another 4,000 will be at risk of homelessness, unsure of where they will sleep on any given night.

At Huckleberry House, a brighter future starts at our front door.

From the 96 new apartments opened since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the 19,691 nights of shelter provided in 2021, we are meeting the needs of homeless and unstably housed youth ages 12 to 24. With a 90% success rate in our Transitional Living Program, we are addressing the long-term self-sufficiency of young people and keeping them out of the adult homeless system. Proceeds of the SLEEP OUT! benefit the proven programs of Huckleberry House.

You can help raise awareness and much-need funds. Donate or sign up to sleep out to become part of the solution.