Journey to Dream
Home Journey to Dream
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Partners
  • Programs
    • Programs
    • School Programs
    • Kyle's Place
    • Impact
  • Events
  • Take Action
    • Take Action
    • Volunteer
    • Contact Us
  • DONATE
  • About Us
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Take Action
  • DONATE

We Equip, Empower, and Embrace Teens

to Overcome Adversity and Live Purposeful Lives

.

The facts about victimized, at-risk, and homeless teens are staggering

... but acknowledging the depth of the problem is the first step in fixing it!

4.2 million youth

experience homelessness

Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness, of which 700,000 are unaccompanied minors, meaning they are without a family or not accompanied by a parent or guardian.

On any given night, approximately 41,000 unaccompanied youth ages 13-25 experience homelessness.

Homelessness among youth doesn’t always mean teens living on the streets or in shelters. Homelessness also includes couch surfing with friends or relatives, a temporary answer to what may be a long-term issue. 

 

 

 

Source: NCSL.org

The face of Teen Homelessness

  • More than two-thirds of unsheltered teens, and 55% of sheltered unaccompanied teens, are male.
  • Teen women or girls represent more than one-third (37%) of unaccompanied youth.
  • 52% of homeless teens reported that they became homeless for the first time because they were asked to leave home by a parent or caregiver.
  • 27% of LGBTQ+ youth who are homeless reported exchanging sex for basic needs compared to 9% of non-LGBTQ youth who reported having to exchange sex for basic needs.
  • 62% of LGBTQ+ youth report being physically harmed while experiencing homelessness.

 



Source: Family Interventions for Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Almost 40%

of the homeless in the U.S. are under 18

At least 1 in 30 adolescents ages 13-17, experience some form of homelessness unaccompanied by a parent or guardian over the course of a year. 

  • 29% of homeless teens report having substance misuse problems.
  • 69% of homeless teens report mental health problems.
  • 33% had once been part of the foster care system.
  • 50% of homeless youth have been in the juvenile justice system, jail, or detention.

The lack of a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) remains the number one factor for elevated risk of teen homelessness.

 

 

Source: Family Interventions for Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Shop with a Cop

Our 8th Annual Shop with a Cop is Back!

Donations for Shop with a Cop Shop with a Cop Meet & Greet
GET INVOLVED

OUR PROGRAMS

Designed to change lives once and for all!

Kyle's Place

Kyle’s Place is a Transitional Living Program for homeless teens working toward independence. Residents of Kyle’s Place are provided shelter, and a variety of supportive services, and life skills required to become self-sufficient, independent adults. Residents at Kyle’s Place learn a new way of life, experiencing love and support (many first time) successfully breaking negative cycles, achieving goals, and being hopeful about the future.

Learn More

School Programs

The Journey to Dream curriculum-based school programs are designed to empower, embrace, and equip students through everyday challenges by providing support services and resources needed to help them become successful in achieving their goals.

 

 

 

Learn More

Impact

It is incredible to see God using these teens to be a catalyst for change. Some came into our programs broken, experimenting with drugs, dealing with depression and self harm - yet each one of them has made such an impact while part of Journey To Dream and continue to give back and change the world around them.

 

 

Learn More

POSITIVELY IMPACTING TEENS SINCE 2004

 

Homeless teens carry heavy things that can’t fit into a backpack. They carry the loneliness of being ignored, the heartache of being abandoned, and the anxiety of having to fend for themselves. Since 2004, Journey to Dream has helped transform, impact, and save the lives of at-risk, victimized, runaway, and homeless teens across North Texas. We offer housing and a full service of supportive programs to teens in need 14-19 years of age – currently reaching, impacting, and interacting with over 15,000 North Texas teens every year.


Our development and supportive services provide opportunities for teens to discover their strengths and talents, set personal goals, make positive choices, and develop the strength and resilience necessary to overcome the challenges that confront them successfully.  

The staff is friendly and appreciative to all kinds of donations to enrich the lives of disadvantaged young people.

- David -

I loved being part of helping these teens celebrate their Homecoming.

- Christina - 

Amazing staff with a genuine love and care for Kyle’s Place.

- Keller Family -

Previous Next

OUR VISION

Our vision is a community where all teens transitioning from homelessness, or foster care to independent living are:

  • Connected to caring adults who support them.
  • Live in a safe place.
  • Motivated to achieve their goals (and believe they are capable of achieving them).
  • Earnestly pursuing an education or training that will set them up for future success.
  • Secure in who they are and where they have been.
  • Mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy.

OUR MISSION

To turn that vision into reality, we will:

  • Connect teens who have experienced trauma, homelessness, or foster care with supportive adults who have been trained as strengths-based, trauma-informed mentors.
  • Meet the physical, educational, and financial needs of teens by connecting them to resources in the community.
  • Introduce teens to new educational and recreational opportunities where they can learn and practice vital life skills with an emphasis on self-advocacy.
  • Advocate for the needs of teens across ethnic and socio-economic groups.

OUR VALUES

Teens often feel powerless to control their lives and fall into a self-defeating cycle of failure. Journey to Dream fosters confidence, which encourages teens to believe in themselves and positive choices about their future.

  • We demonstrate the love of Christ to teens in all of our actions.
  • We are trustworthy and responsible.
  • We act with compassion and integrity.
  • We promote the welfare and safety of teens.
  • We promote justice for teens.
  • We honor teens' voices in designing and delivering our services.
  • We respect the rights, dignity, and intrinsic worth of teens.

Upcoming Events Calendar

8th Annual Shop with a Cop (COVID Style)

8th Annual Shop with a Cop (COVID Style)

Be In The Know!

Journey to Dream

Journey to Dream
1960 Archer Ave
Lewisville, Texas 75077
(469) 470-2382

501(c)(3) Nonprofit Foundation

Journey to Dream on Facebook Journey to Dream on Instagram  Journey to Dream on Linkedin

© 2020 Journey to Dream

Website built with the
Ramp Up Design Mobile First Website Builder.

Heading