Most of this site assumes a stable starting point. This section doesn't. If you are navigating foster care, leaving the justice system, dealing with housing instability, or getting out of an unsafe situation, start here.
Call or text 211 to reach local food banks, emergency shelter, utility assistance, and other services. Free, 24/7, available in most states. For a place to sleep tonight, call 211 and ask specifically for emergency shelter or youth shelter. For food, visit feedingamerica.org to find a food bank near you. For mental health crises, see the crisis resources guide.
4 guides
If you are couch-surfing, staying in an unsafe place, or have no stable housing, you are not disqualified from help. This guide covers emergency shelter, youth-specific programs, your rights without an address, and the path toward longer-term stability.
For anyone leaving, or thinking about leaving, a home situation that involves abuse. Covers safety planning, what to take when you go, shelters, protective orders, digital safety, and building stability afterward.
Tens of thousands of young adults age out of the foster care system each year, often with little warning and fewer resources than they need. This guide covers Extended Foster Care, Chafee education vouchers, Medicaid, FAFSA, housing options, and what to do before your case closes.
Re-entry after incarceration or juvenile detention is one of the hardest transitions that exists. This guide covers the first days after release, getting your ID and documents, housing and employment with a record, benefits eligibility, and expungement.