Information
Unaccompanied homeless youth - a youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night time residence.
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The Unaccompanied Students Initiative (USI), a 501c3 non-profit (EIN: 83-2885380), became the focus of Strong Families Action Team due to a need identified through the Point in Time Count and McKinney-Vento data through Laramie County School District #1. Due to the need for homeless teen support throughout Wyoming, we have continued to expand – we now provide support to Laramie County, Natrona County, and Albany County teens.
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Provide a stable home for homeless teens that live in a variety of unsafe, temporary situations - including cars, parks, shelters, motels, and couch surfing.
Provide a support system for participants in the USI program, allowing the youth to focus on obtaining their high school diploma or equivalent
Teach life skills, such as resume writing, budgeting, goal setting and achievement, and personal advocating, so that once they graduate the USI program, they become productive, independent members of society.
Stop the intergenerational cycles of homelessness
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We have three active locations in:
Cheyenne, WY
Casper, WY
Laramie, WY
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Provides a safe and stable home setting for unaccompanied students by getting them off the streets.
Provides resources to help the student resolve issues and stay in school.
Promotes high school graduation and improved wage earning abilities.
Helps make the student a productive member of the community.
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2015-2017
Laramie County Community Partnership’s Strong Families Action Team identifies a need for unaccompanied youth housing and support
Laramie County School District #1, Catholic Charities of Wyoming, and volunteers offer “host homes” to homeless youth
2017
Church of the Holy Trinity lends house to pilot offering shared student housing and services
First student enters program
2018
Unaccompanied Students Initiative (USI) is formed and registers as a 501c3 non-profit
Ed Ernste awarded Compassion in Action award for donating the “Natalie House” to USI. The Natalie House is able to house up to 5 students in Laramie County.
First Twin Home is built in Laramie County, providing room for up to 10 students
First USI program participant graduates high school!
2020
USI expands into Natrona County with the help of Highland Park Community Church. Casper is now able to offer support for up to 10 students
2022
The Natalie House is sold to Family Promise to assist in addressing Laramie County’s family homelessness need
USI is awarded the Hughes Grant to build a Twin Home in Natrona County
USI breaks ground on new twin home in Casper, WY
2023
Completion of the Greta House in Casper provides room for 14 students
USI Laramie is established and is able to house 4 students
USI is awarded its first federal grant to improve the mental health outcomes of rural students in the program