Listen to Us: Young People Know What They Need !!!
Over the last 3 years, I've had the privilege of working closely with the state as a consultant, focusing on the goal of ending youth and young adult homelessness in Massachusetts.
Throughout this time, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that young people face when it comes to accessing the resources and services they desperately need, especially minors. At one point in time, I was one of those minors, looking for help and having no luck receiving the proper resources. It saddens me to know that many of the same challenges I faced are still here, affecting the next generation. The biggest issue I still see is the red tape, the slow-moving system that refuses to change. Providers face this issue too, wanting to help but unable to fully do so because of funding restrictions, regulations, and rules that make it difficult to meet the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness, especially the needs of young people experiencing homelessness. More often than not, youth and young adults are the last group to be heard, which means we’re also the last to have our needs met.
But if adults, in the position to help us, listened and asked young people what we needed, things would be different. Young people know what they need! They know what works for them and what doesn’t. But time and time again we’re neglected and punished by the same system we’re told to trust. The same system that often responds to homelessness with hostility … that responds by conducting encampment sweeps and creating anti-homeless architecture all throughout the city. The system we have is flawed and it’s caused so many young people to lose faith because of the negative experiences they've had, whether it’s having to endure racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, or adultism just to access the support they need. Or just simply not feeling comfortable with the resources offered, like living in shelters that are overcrowded or don't feel safe to them.
We need something new, we need to regain the trust of the young adults and we can do that by collaborating with Young people. Young folks are the experts of their own lives. We know what we need, we need a system that trusts us, we need more options, more support, and most importantly we need our voices to be heard. And I believe that BAY-CASH does exactly that, it listens to young adults. That's part of the model and best of all BAY-CASH gets to the root of the problem which is money. It provides financial support and it’s the first service that I've seen that responds directly to the needs of young people by giving them the control. BAYCASH, if you don’t know, is a pilot for 18-24 year olds experiencing homelessness our pilot once we’re fully funded will provide YA’s with $1,200/month for 2 years.
That’s one thousand two hundred dollars that a young adult gets to use however they see fit. This act alone gives young people so much agency and dignity. Rather than controlling what they can spend the money on, BAY-CASH empowers Young Adults to make that decision themselves. And that, in itself, is revolutionary, that is what makes BAYCASH different from any traditional services we currently have, even programs like SNAP or food stamps have limitations. But BAYCASH doesn't! You get the money and you can use it however you like. You can use it to pay your rent, fix your car, pay for medication, help you pay for driving lessons, or buy food whatever you need. But BAYCASH doesn’t stop at just 1,200 dollars a month. It’ll also offer Plus services for 2 and a half years AND a one-time payment of 3,000 dollars for whatever you need no questions asked, no red tape, no delays, and no frustration.
By putting funds directly in the hands of young people it guarantees a type of stability and flexibility traditional programs don’t offer. Our model is equity centered, youth powered, evidence informed, and most importantly it’s fast and responsive. Can you say the same about any of the current programs the state currently has in place.
I believe in BAY-CASH and I’m proud to be part of such a groundbreaking movement, I hope with more time and support we can make BAY-CASH a reality.
Written by T.P
