An estimated 172 high school students in Nevada County were homeless in 2018, a 36% increase compared to 2014, according to the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
About 60% of children depend on the school lunch program for at least one of their meals every weekday in Nevada County, a dramatic increase from 5% in 1995.
25% of families depend on MediCal for health coverage or have no insurance in Nevada County (U.S. Census Bureau).
Nationally, 77% of parents report improved behavior in students who participated in after-school programs and 74% report improved student attendance, according to the Afterschool Alliance.
Almost 7% of low-income families do not live close to a grocery store in Nevada County, more than double the rate in California, according to the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment report.
About one of every eight households (12%) lives in poverty in Nevada County, including many children (U.S. Census Bureau).
Four out of five parents in low-income communities across the country say after-school programs help working parents keep their jobs, according to the Afterschool Alliance.
Seven in 10 U.S. teens said anxiety and depression was a major problem in their community during a survey in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center.
Every $1 invested in after-school programs nationally saves at least $3 by increasing earning potential, improving academic achievement and reducing juvenile crime (Afterschool Alliance).
The teen hospital admission rate for suicidal behavior has doubled during the past decade, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The Friendship Club
Almost 1,000 girls and young women in 6th through 12th grade have participated in The Friendship Club’s long-term, comprehensive program since it started in 1995.
92% of girls say The Friendship Club has helped them do better in school.
94% of girls say The Friendship Club has helped them think positively about their future.
96% of girls say The Friendship Club gives them a safe place to be, including a hot and healthy meal.
95% of girls who participate in The Friendship Club program through 12th grade go to college and 100% graduate from high school.
The Friendship Club provides more than 5,000 meals for the girls – and quite often their families – every year.
NEO
Several hundred teenagers and young adults participated in NEO events in 2019.
Since opening a youth center in 2015, NEO has provided over 1,000 individual youth with a safe and fun place to spend their time after school.
More than 60 youth participate in the annual Kenny Steel Student Showcase events. Kenny Steel is a longtime music instructor in Nevada County.
Hosted nearly 200 activities and workshops in 2019.
SAFE
More than 400 families, including many children, were experiencing homelessness in December 2019, according to data from the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
About one of every nine households in Nevada County lives in poverty, and 17% of children experience poverty and some form of insecurity, increasing their risk of experiencing homelessness, according to the Nevada County Health & Human Services Agency.
Almost one of every four (23.4%) children faced food insecurity in Nevada County in 2016 (KidsData.org, 2018).
Unhoused youth are highly vulnerable and are at increased risk of assault, sexual abuse, exploitation and substance use (California Coalition for Youth, California State Legislature, 2018).
Youth experiencing homelessness are three times more likely than peers to be pregnant or parenting in California (Federal Regional Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2019).
Half of chronically homeless adults first experienced homelessness as teens or young adults, according to the California Coalition for Youth.
Volunteer
5,000 hours donated by volunteers to Bright Futures for Youth annually.
Volunteers help us prepare more than 6,000 meals per year.
More than 250 serve as volunteers – from after-school drivers to mentors.
Almost 1,300 hours volunteered by youth leaders at the Youth Center and other nonprofit organizations in the region in 2019.