Runaway & Homeless Youth Services, a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley is starting fresh – in a new location with a new name.
Program leaders chose the name Home Base to be strength-based and inclusive of the many youth in the Fox Valley area who experience housing insecurity and transience. The new name is goal-oriented and avoids labeling and even stigmatizing young people because of their housing situation.
Program staff hopes the new name will help young people in need feel more welcome and safe, and they also hope it will help create a conversation about the many adolescents and young adults who face housing insecurity in the broader Fox Valley area.
Home Base serves youth (up to age 21) and families in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties experiencing challenges related to running away, homelessness and housing insecurities. Services are confidential, voluntary, and free of charge.
In 2019, the program served 2,763 youth through a variety of services, providing a lifeline of support, guidance, and hope. The Home Base team will be based at the Boys & Girls Club of Menasha.
“We work from a trauma-informed lens and are continually seeking training and development opportunities that enhance our ability to understand and meet the diverse needs of the population. Our services are client-driven, highlighting the importance of each individual’s unique life experiences and self-defined goals.” – Katie Van Groll, Home Base Director
Home Base’s services and support includes:
- 24-hour hotline support – (920) 731-0557
- Case management, crisis intervention, and counseling support
- Family Mediation
- Multi-disciplinary teaming
- Wellness Groups
- Temporary shelter (for eligible youth ages 12-17)
- Community referrals
- Care Packages
Youth who face housing insecurity rely on the compassion, safety, and support Home Base provides during some of the most challenging times of their young adult lives.
To catch news coverage from WBAY about Home Base click here.
