Over 100 community representatives gathered at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman Center in Grand Rapids to discuss youth homelessness in Kent County. The event, called ‘WE EXIST: The State of Youth Homelessness,’ included a panel of four young people. Shantae Thompson, one of the panelists, shared personal experiences with homelessness and highlighted the need for more support and resources for homeless youth.
The event was organized by local groups such as AYA Youth Collective, The Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, Arbor Circle, Covenant House, and Kent ISD. Organizers aimed to raise awareness, share data, and encourage community involvement in addressing youth homelessness.
Data from the Homeless Management Information System shows that more than 350 young people in Kent County have recently slept outside or in emergency shelters. This number is higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic…