Techie Youth helps youth who are experiencing the most-challenging of situations, including teens in foster care approaching their age of emancipation ("aging out",) homeless youth, LGBTQ+ teenagers, justice involved minors, etc.

Aging Out of Foster Care

Aging out of foster care can present a number of challenges for young adults who have been in the system. Among the major challenges are lack of housing and financial issues. The lack of stable housing is a major challenge faced by young adults aging out of foster care, many of them may experience homelessness. Young adults who have aged out of foster care often struggle with financial instability due to the lack of a permanent family support system and limited access to government assistance. These challenges can make it difficult for young adults who have aged out of foster care to establish stable, independent lives.

Homeless Youth

Homeless youth, also known as youth who are unaccompanied or undomiciled, face a wide range of challenges due to their lack of stable housing. Homeless youth are at an increased risk for a variety of health issues, including physical and mental health problems, due to a lack of access to proper healthcare, nutrition, and hygiene. Homeless youth have statistically higher risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, due to their experiences of instability and instability, abuse, and neglect. Homeless youth often experience social isolation and disconnection from friends, family and community. They are also at an increased risk for physical and sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation, due to their vulnerability and lack of safe, stable housing.

LGBTQ+ Teenagers

Transgender & LGBQ+ teens often experience discrimination and marginalization in their communities and schools, and may be the target of bullying and harassment. This can lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and depression. LGBTQ teens may struggle to find acceptance and understanding from family, friends, and society at large. This can lead to feelings of rejection, alienation, and a lack of support. Trans/LGBQ+ teens may be at a higher risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicide, due to the challenges they face related to their gender identity. It is important that transgender teens are provided with a supportive environment that recognizes and respects their gender identity, including access to appropriate healthcare, education, and legal protections. They also need a supportive and understanding community, in which they can build positive relationships and be themselves.

Justice-Involved Minors

Justice-involved minors, commonly referred to as "juvenile delinquents", face many struggles. Many youth in the justice system have experienced trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or other forms of violence. This can make it difficult for them to trust adults, form positive relationships, and regulate their emotions. Trauma can also contribute to their involvement in the justice system. Youth of color, particularly Black and Latino/a youth, are disproportionately represented in the justice system. This can lead to feelings of injustice and alienation. Youth in the justice system often have limited access to education and vocational opportunities, which can make it difficult for them to successfully reintegrate into their communities and achieve long-term success. Youth who have been involved in the justice system may face significant challenges when returning to their communities, such as lack of stable housing, difficulty finding employment, and difficulty building positive relationships. Youth who have been involved in the justice system may face significant stigmatization, which can make it difficult for them to build positive relationships and move forward with their lives. These struggles can make it difficult for youth in the justice system to achieve stability, safety and success in the long-term.

Childhood victims of extreme abuse/neglect

Victims of extreme abuse and neglect often struggle with self-esteem and self-worth, due to feelings of worthlessness, shame, and guilt. As such, they have difficulty regulating their emotions, which can lead to problems such as impulsivity, aggression, and difficulty with anger management. The trauma can manifest in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and self-harm.

How Techie Youth Helps

A differentiating aspect of Techie Youth is that we have open non-selective admissions and are a totally-free program, aiming to help every youth who needs us. Youth who were not accepted into other career-training programs are welcomed at Techie Youth with outstretched arms, and without judgment.

Techie Youth focuses on at-risk youth populations who are facing extreme life-challenges, those who are in dire-need of guidance and assistance to learn how to become financially self-sufficient. Most of our students are statistically-likely to become homeless or incarcerated in the near-future; our goal is to pivot their life-paths towards a positive professional track.