Empowering Runaway and Homeless Youth

Ouachita Youth Center provides client-centered and trauma-informed care to youth that are at-risk or experiencing homelessness through essential services with minimal barriers in our children's shelter.

Key Services include:

• Step-by-step case management and advocacy

• Health services referrals

• Education, employment, and housing support

• Life skills

• Individual and family counseling

• Family reunification

Not only will Ouachita Youth Center be an accepting, inclusive space for all, but we also serve as a Safe Place hub for our community:

Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention program for young people under the age of 18 (up to 21 years of age in some communities) in need of immediate help and safety. As a collaborative community prevention initiative, Safe Place designates businesses and organizations as Safe Place locations, making help readily available to youth in communities across the country. Safe Place locations include: libraries, YMCAs, fire stations, public buses, various businesses, and social service facilities.

** This website is supported by Grant # 90CY7533-02-00 from the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Family and Youth Services Bureau. **