Support Services

Service Links for Youth (SLY)

Service Links for Youth (SLY) provides the only outreach-based support services to homeless and street-involved youth and young adults in the University District.

SLY was developed in 1998 after USM became concerned that many homeless and street-involved youth were not comfortable accessing traditional, agency-based services.  Unlike traditional “case management”, SLY was designed as a youth-centered support program that affirms the strengths of each participant as they meet self-identified goals.  Our Support Coordinators build a relationship with each youth to learn what types of resources will help them best succeed.  SLY is unique in its focus of meeting youth on the streets and in programs, and it serves a broader range of youth than any other program – ages 13 to 25. 

Street Talk Outreach Program (STOP)

Our newest program to connect with homeless youth and young adults is in its second year.  STOP sends out teams of outreach counselors to meet at-risk youth who avoid traditional social service agencies, reaching out to them in their own environment—the streets and alleys where they spend most of their time. Contact us to find out when we're in the neighborhood.

In 2009, STOP made over 1,350 positive contacts with youth on the streets offering socks, food, referral to resources, and a relationship with a caring adult.

35 youth whose first contact with USM was with STOP outreach enrolled in support coordination – working with USM staff to leave the streets.  Focusing on building a relationship with homeless youth in their environment breaks down the resistance many youth have to engaging and working with trusting adults.