Homeless Youth Connection Receives $250,000 Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) has received a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The funding will directly support the organization’s Empowering Youth For The Future (EYFTF) Program, a comprehensive social services initiative that provides homeless youth, ages 13 to 21, with the basic resources to stay in school, complete their education and plan for post-secondary success.

“School is hard enough, and without a roof over your head or food on the table, it’s nearly impossible to focus on your education,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “Homeless Youth Connection is ensuring no student is left carrying this weight alone.”

Statistically, more than 87 percent of homeless youth drop out of high school. These students are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing poverty, unemployment, chronic homelessness and poor health. One of HYC’s top preventative measures, the EYFTF Program, works to intervene before homeless youth drop out by providing assistance with academics, health, housing, hygiene, employment and independent living to enable success.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for their generosity and support of HYC youth. This funding will provide youth experiencing homelessness with the resources and the support to stay in school, graduate and create lasting solutions for a sustainable future,” said HYC Chief Executive Officer Dawn Bogart.

Through the EYFTF program, each student is paired with a Youth Coach to identify their strengths and goals and establish a personalized action plan to attain those goals. The highly interactive program allows Youth Coaches to connect with students weekly, both virtually and in-person to discuss their progress. This approach helps students identify and achieve a series of short-term goals that ultimately lead to high school graduation and self-sufficiency. Through this authentic engagement, youth develop a sense of safety, structure, belonging, self-worth and social contribution. 

Integral to the EYFTF program, HYC has cultivated relationships with host families to provide stable housing, food, transportation and all-around, at-home care and support through the student’s academic journey. This initiative allows each HYC youth to build stronger relationships and interpersonal skills, experience stability in their home life and learn positive life skills that lead to full independence.

“Homeless Youth Connection intervenes in the lives of students experiencing homelessness before they drop out of school, before they give up on their dreams for the future,” said President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel Renee Parsons. “Working with local school districts and community partners, the organization provides students with renewed hope and the tools they need to graduate.”

Along with academic support and housing, HYC offers employment, career development and financial literacy services. The nonprofit currently serves more than 600 students in Maricopa County annually and has experienced tremendous growth in the past year: expanding to serve 13 school districts, including one in the City of Flagstaff, and partnering with 130 high schools to deliver case management resources, school supplies, clothing, hygiene products and more.

The recent grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will support the organization’s rapid growth and ensure HYC has resources to help youth experiencing homelessness complete their education and have a chance at a healthy, successful future. To learn more about HYC, and its mission, visit https://hycaz.org/.