Welcome to Love Focus Youth Outreach Website

A California State Department of Social Services Licensed Transitional Housing Placement Program

We are on a mission to ending homelessness through the provision of decent, safe affordable housing with supportive services to assist youth transitioning from California’s Foster Care, the Regional center consumers and Juvenile Probation Systems including homeless youth.

On this site, we create enabling environment to connect, engage, inform, network, empower and support participants with RESOURCES and TOOLS to ACHIEVE their GOALS anywhere and anytime. 

The Effects of COVID-19 on California’s Homeless Youth

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Homelessness remains a significant problem for youth entering programs. Nearly one in four youth experienced homelessness while in foster care prior to entering transitional housing program.

Each year in California, a substantial amount of youth exit the foster care system when they turn 18 and are no longer eligible for foster care. These “emancipated foster youth” commonly leave the foster care system without a place to live, a job, a high school diploma or the consistent support of a caring adult.

Without assistance during this difficult transition period, former foster youth do not fare well, These youth experience homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration far above their peers.

Click on the video below to watch Youth Homelessness in the Wake of COVID-19 Featuring Youth Voices.

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LOVE FOCUS YOUTH OUTREACH OPERATES 3 HOUSING MODELS

Remote Site

In a remote site a participant lives independently in an apartment, single-family dwelling, or condominium, rented, or leased.

Participant receive supervision and other services through hands-on educational opportunities leading to high school diploma, GED, professional certificate or college degree. Employment support services include: assistance with job training, resume development and job interview coaching. Financial management skills development include how to achieve the state of financial well-being and how to develop the independent living skills they need to be successful adults.

Case Manager help youth to empower themselves by identifying existing strengths, accessing resources and opportunities to develop new skills to help achieve their goals. Youth are encouraged to set challenging yet realistic goals and follow through on their commitments to do their best.. Youth recognize and celebrate their skills and accomplishments within their own definition of success and knowledge.

Single Site

1). Single Site Housing is a placement where an Non-Minor Dependent (NMD) youth lives in an apartment, single family dwelling, or condominium rented, owned or leased by the LFIA in which one or two adult employees of reside and provide supervision. 2). Participant lives in a Single Site on their own or with roommates independently.

Participant receive supervision and other services through hands-on educational opportunities leading to high school diploma, GED, professional certificate or college degree. Employment support services include: assistance with job training, resume development and job interview coaching. Financial management skills development include how to achieve the state of financial well-being and how to develop the independent living skills they need to be successful adults.

Case Manager help youth to empower themselves by identifying existing strengths, accessing resources and opportunities to develop new skills to help achieve their goals. Youth are encouraged to set challenging yet realistic goals and follow through on their commitments to do their best. Youth recognize and celebrate their skills and accomplishments within their own definition of success and knowledge.

Host Family

In a Host Family, participant lives with a caring adult who has been selected and approved by Love Focus Youth Outreach THP-NMD. Other residents may include children of participant, the host family members. 

Participant receive supervision and other services through hands-on educational opportunities leading to high school diploma, GED, professional certificate or college degree. Employment support services include: assistance with job training, resume development and job interview coaching. Financial management skills development include how to achieve the state of financial well-being and how to develop the independent living skills they need to be successful adults.

Case Manager help youth to empower themselves by identifying existing strengths, accessing resources and opportunities to develop new skills to help achieve their goals. Youth are encouraged to set challenging yet realistic goals and follow through on their commitments to do their best. Youth recognize and celebrate their skills and accomplishments within their own definition of success and knowledge.

As a Member of FDIC's Money Smart Alliance, we provide Financial Empowerment to help participants achieve their goals to Financial Well-Being

Financial well-being is a condition wherein a person can fully meet current and ongoing financial obligations, can feel secure in their financial future, and is able to make choices that allow them to enjoy life. It’s determined by the extent to which people feel that they:

  • Have control over day-to-day, month-to-month finances 
  • Have the capacity to absorb a financial shock 
  • Are on track to meet financial goals
  • Have the financial freedom to make the choices that allow them to enjoy life 


VITAL INFORMATION RELEVANT TO PARTICIPANTS: 

Budgeting

How to create a budget and stick with it: 
Putting down in writing a budget and sticking with it is a key step towards getting a handle on your debt and working towards a savings goal, of any kind.

Find out which federal or state assistance programs you may qualify for. More than 1,200 Federal and state benefit programs. Use Benefit Finder to complete the free and confidential search for list benefits you may be eligible to receive. 

Social Security Administration: Understanding Supplemental Security Income SSI Application Process and Applicants' Rights 2020

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Apply For Benefits Online 

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:
1. Are age 18 or older.
2. Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
3. Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death; and
4. Have not been denied for disability in the last 60 days. 

MythBuster: Continuation of Medicare Coverage 

MYTH: "If I go to work, I will automatically lose my Medicare."
Many people believe that they will automatically lose their Medicare or Medicaid as soon as they start working. But did you know that as long as you're receiving a cash payment in any amount, you'll keep your Medicare or Medicaid? 

Tools and Worksheets

  1. Budget Worksheets. Help you locate and use on-line calculators, budget worksheets, planning checklists and other helpful resources from the federal government for making financial decisions. Learn More...
  2. Credit reports and scores: Answers to common questions about credit reports and scores. Get help building a better credit report. Learn More...
  3. Find a credit counselor: Find out how credit counseling can help you manage your debt and find a credit counselor in your area. Learn More...
  4. Debt collection: Find answers to your debt collection questions and download sample letters to send to debt collectors. Learn More...
  5. Federal Trade Commission: Getting dunning notices from creditors? Are your accounts being turned over to debt collectors? Tips, advice, and resources for coping with debt. Learn More...

Legal disclaimer
The content on this list provides general information. It is not legal advice. This information updates periodically. Information may include links or references to third-party resources or content. We do not endorse the third-party or guarantee the accuracy of this third-party information. There may be other resources that also serve your needs.

A program of Love Focus International Association an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax organization

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108 W Alexander Ave. Merced, CA 95348 
Phone: 1-209-233-9024 
Fax: 1-866-310-8868
Member of FDIC's Money Smart Alliance 
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