The Western NC Youth Homelessness Partnership

Creating pathways to stability for youth through age 24 who are experiencing, have experienced, or are at-risk of experiencing homelessness.

The Western NC Youth Homelessness Partnership is a dedicated coalition focused on addressing and ending youth homelessness across the rural regions of western North Carolina. We bring together a network of committed partners, including community organizations, local governments, and concerned citizens, all working collaboratively to ensure that every young person in our region has the opportunity to build a secure and bright future.

Our Goal

Support systemic change in western North Carolina by establishing and implementing a response system for rural youth homelessness through five
objectives:

Improve the capacity of youth in participating communities.
Establish a broad, regional, collaborative partnership network.
Help Coordinated Entry Systems address the needs of at-risk and homeless youth.
Improve data collection, analysis, and use between systems.
Assess, address, and improve equity in the youth homeless response system.

Activities

Conduct a regional needs analysis and evaluation with local strategy recommendations.

Create and support Youth Action Boards (regional and local) that empower youth who are experiencing, have experienced, or are at-risk of experiencing homelessness.

Assess and recommend Coordinated Entry System improvements.

Provide education, information, training and support to assist local communities in implementing their rural response system addressing youth homelessness.

Our Service Area

Our efforts are focused on 20 rural counties in western North Carolina: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, and Transylvania. In these communities, we work tirelessly to ensure that every young person has access to the support they need.

About Our Sponsor

HealthNet Gaston is a nonprofit healthcare organization in Gastonia, NC that also provides homeless services and serves as the Lead Agency for the Gaston-Lincoln-Cleveland Continuum of Care (NC-509).

HealthNet Gaston (HNG) values the importance of systemic responses to homelessness and, therefore, is sponsoring this project for the benefit of rural communities in western North Carolina. HNG was awarded $974,300 to implement this project over a 30-month period beginning in fall 2024.

To learn more about HealthNet Gaston, visit HealthNet Gaston or contact us at 704.874.1958.

Get Involved!

Ending youth homelessness in western North Carolina requires the support and involvement of the entire community. Whether you’re a local leader, an organization, or an individual passionate about making a difference, there’s a place for you in the Western NC Youth Homelessness Partnership. Together, we can build a future where every young person has a safe and stable place to call home.

Contact us today for more information or to get involved.

Contact Us