Event Description

Community Action HOME Youth Services serves all youth ages 11- 18 throughout Marion & Polk Counties, and finds it an honor to serve those who are experiencing instability and lack of safe housing. HOME Youth Services operates two sites that collectively provide services 24/7/365. (1) the Drop In which is a day resource center located at 625 Union St NE Salem and (2) Taylor’s House, an emergency overnight shelter located near downtown Salem. For more information about our services please connect via social media (home youth services), our website (mycommunityaction.org) or email (homeyouthservices@mwvcaa.org). 

Oregon has thousands of youth without safe & stable places to call home. In Marion & Polk counties alone there are over 2,000 who have been counted through their schools experiencing some form of homelessness, this number doesn't account for those disconnected from the education system. The reality is the number is higher. Please join us in raising awareness for this valuable population through this virtual movement event titled: 2,000 Steps HOME.

By participating you are stepping up to show youth they matter, that they have an important role in our community and that they deserve a safe place to call home. We encourage people from all walks of life to join together to educate themselves on the realities of youth homelessness in our community and to amplify the youth voice. 

Anywhere, anyway and any time of day you want! This is a virtual event that participants will complete on their own on August 29th, 2020!

There are many ways you can participate in this event and registration is by donation; you decide your level of involvement & investment. The most important thing is that we take action together to pave the pathway for youth to take steps to safety, stability and success. 

Choose your challenge: 

·         5k & 10k: Run or walk

·         Free Movement: Anything that gets your body moving – swim, paddle, biking, cross fit, stretching etc. 

·         2,000 steps: Take these extra steps

All registered participants will receive a thank you gift from our Youth Action Board. Participants who post a picture of themselves on social media doing the challenge on August 29th and use #2ksteps42kyouth & #homeyouthservices, will be entered in win raffle prizes. 

We will move in order to raise awareness for youth who are houseless, runaway, and at-risk. 
We will move for the youth who are food insecure due to their living situation. 
We will move for youth who cannot be at home with their family, because home is not a safe place. 
And we will move to better support the youth in our area as they strive to become self-sufficient. 
We move humbly, recognizing that empathy and compassion can make a huge difference as youth share their vulnerability. 

We will move to amplify the voices of minority youth. 
We invite you to move with us, as we strive to clear the path for 2,000 youth needing a safe and stable home. 

#2ksteps42kyouth      #homeyouthservices