#CouchesDontCount is an advocacy campaign to raise awareness for the disproportionate rate of young people experiencing homelessness that are \u201ccouch surfing\u201d, or staying with friends or acquaintances rather than sleeping unsheltered. Some studies have suggested as high as 64% of youth experiencing homelessness are couch surfing as means of shelter.<\/p>\n
Valley Youth House believes that couches don\u2019t count as stable housing for any young person experiencing homelessness. More can and should be done to support these young people in finding resources, shelter, and transitional housing, with the ultimate goal of achieving independence and stability.<\/p>\n
Emily Conners, Development Officer at Valley Youth House, says of the campaign: \u201cOur #CouchesDontCount campaign will put a spotlight on the needs of homeless and unstably housed youth that typically fly under the radar.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s<\/span><\/span> #CouchesDontCount pop-up event will be promoting the upcoming Lehigh Valley Youth Count<\/a>, hosted May 16<\/span><\/span>–20th<\/span><\/span> by the Lehigh Valley Regional Homeless Advisory Board, of which Valley Youth House is a member agency.\u00a0 This count will survey youth ages 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the Lehigh Valley in order to determine needs and identify gaps in order to properly allocate resources.\u00a0 Training, coordination, and support for the Youth Count will be provided by The Synergy Project, which is Valley Youth House\u2019s street outreach program.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the first time a comprehensive Youth Count has occurred in the Lehigh Valley.\u00a0 Collecting this data is an important step in recognizing the needs of homeless youth and being able to provide better access to services.\u201d says Andrew Palomo<\/a>, Program Supervisor at Valley Youth House\u2019s Maternity Group Home.<\/p>\n
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