Homeless teens and youth ages 16 – 21 reside in the 12-bed, 24/7/365 Supervised Transitional Living Program called The SHORE House. Youth who are unhoused are both the participants in and beneficiaries of the program. Safety is a basic need, foundational for all other progress in a young person’s life. The SHORE House provides youth with a stable, safe, clean, healthy living environment. In addition to the physical safety and independent spaces afforded by our facility, we provide a place of emotional safety for teens and young adults who cannot live safely with a parent, legal guardian, or relative, or in a foster home situation, and have no safe alternative living arrangement. We do this regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion/spirituality, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical or cognitive ability, language, beliefs, values, behavior patterns, or customs.
The Need
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Nationally, homelessness has increased 25% in the years since the pandemic and youth homelessness follows the same trajectory.
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On January 25 2024 the annual Point in Time (PIT) count showed 434 homeless young people in Ocean County, 35 between 18-22 years old.
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Of these, 45% experienced mental health issues, food insecurity, and chronic health conditions.
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Statewide, 356 homeless persons in the 16 - 22 age groups were staying in transitional living programs on that night.
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In families that cannot afford to stay together, teens and young adults are shuffled among relatives, foster care, or couch surfing among friends.
The Response
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6 Bedroom, two story home, housing up to 12 youth
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We will serve homeless and runaway youth from 16 to under 22
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Goal that youth will receive life skills, sustainable employment, positive housing placements and avoid a return to homelessness (98% of Ocean’s Harbor House Transitional Living Program residents have received permanent supportive housing and positive placements)
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The program is geared to meet the immediate needs of homeless youth in crisis, addressing abuse, neglect and exploitation.
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The program has a strong focus on harm reduction, preventing reoccurrence and educating youth to be aware of the resources available to them before a crisis situation erupts.
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Provides provides educational services by coordinating with Ocean County high schools if enrolled and GED information/support for youth who have dropped out or been expelled.
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The program creates pathways to college opportunities
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The program provides counseling and case management services, including individual, group, parent and family counseling; and case management coordination designed to help youth manage family issues, heal emotional trauma, create healthy relationships free from victimization, violence and addiction.
