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.

  • 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.

    • 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

  • We have three active locations in:

    Cheyenne, WY

    Casper, WY

    Laramie, WY

    • 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.

  • 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