2016 has been a big year for the Chicago Youth Storage Initiative! Locker programs were launched at the following facilities, for a total of 175 lockers now available for youth experiencing homelessness:
- Unity Parenting/Ujima Village
- La Casa Norte (5 locations)
- Puerto Rican Cultural Center/El Rescate
- Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
- Teen Living Programs
Virtual storage was explored by facilitating two Google Apps trainings for homelessness providers and young people. Participating organizations including The Night Ministry, Care2Prevent, Broadway Youth Center, Center on Halsted, La Casa Norte, Teen Living Programs, Mercy Home, and Chicago House.
Mobile document scanning was piloted with multiple organizational partners.
The Initiative hosted a pop-up storage and phone charging station at Pride Weekend.
Portable safes were piloted through the Pride pop-up event and with other organizational partners.
Youth voices continue to inform the project, as CYSI partnered with Youth Empowerment Performance Project on program design, workshops and trainings, and ongoing feedback.
Program Director Lara Brooks presented at national conferences such as Creating Change and Healthcare for the Homeless.
