Solid Ground brings opportunity to homeless youth in Humboldt Park

About 26,000 youth will become homeless each year in Illinois. One organization in Humboldt Park wants to change that.

La Casa Norte, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe environment for homeless and abandoned people, is starting its Solid Ground Supportive Housing Program. It will provide permanent housing for homeless men ages 16 to 21 in Humboldt Park.

"We always knew we wanted to develop housing for homeless youth," said Sol Flores, executive director of La Casa Norte. "Most of the youth programs that offered residential systems only offered emergency or temporary, transitional [housing]. We saw a lot of youth cycle in and cycle out."

Solid Ground's facility at 3507 W. North Ave. was once home to the organization's Crisis Center and administrative headquarters. It will soon house 16 men, on a voluntary basis, for up to two years, or until they turn 21. The Crisis Center and administrative offices have moved seven doors down, to 3533 W. North Ave.

"We are not an institution or a holding place," Flores said. "It's voluntary, for young people who see an opportunity for themselves and want to change their lives."

The facility is anything but an "institution." La Casa Norte did a complete renovation, converting the three-story building from a storefront office and two separate apartments to more than 6,500 square feet of program, living and work space. An around-the-clock staff of nine professional youth workers will run programs and supervise residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Programs and mentors will assist with career preparation and placement, and teach life skills like personal hygiene, cooking and financial literacy. There is also a general recreation component.

Each youth will also have his own bedroom containing a bed, desk, closet organizer and chair.

Solid Ground is only one of several initiatives addressing the issue of homeless youth in Chicago. The winter 2004-2005 report by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless said youth become homeless for a variety of reasons, including family conflict over sexual orientation, school, sexual activity, drug or alcohol use and pregnancy.

A federal study also found that nearly 25 percent of youth in foster care experience homelessness upon emancipation from the system.
Mayor Richard Daley, who dedicated Solid Ground on Friday, said the program is important.

"My administration is committed to helping those who need our support the most and I think everyone would agree that homeless young people deserve to be at the top of that list," Daley said in a press conference. "This is a significant accomplishment, and it disproves the public perception that people on the street want to be homeless."

With the first group of residents projected to move in on Dec. 4, the organization will begin the referral and screening process for potential residents. Although the requirements are minimal, they are looking for youth "appropriate to the program," who want to participate in school and job services.

"Our hope is that we have young men who come out and improve their lives so they become positive contributions to society," she said. "People say we only work with men, but we realize we are creating positive sons, fathers and husbands, and that impacts everyone in our community."