Youth Anti-Homeless Initiative

A variety of social, economic and health conditions drive youth into homelessness. Many are unique to youth, such as parental homelessness, running away from home, being abandoned by parents, abuse and aging out of foster care. Homeless youth are at a higher risk for disease, infection and human trafficking.

The Youth Anti-Homeless Initiative and opening of our CrossRoads shelter is a natural extension of the therapeutic continuum of care provided by WCH. The earlier a person becomes homeless, the longer they tend to stay homeless. Together, we can help break the cycle of abuse and poverty by providing resources for homeless youth so they can become independent, productive members of society.

Safe Shelter and Drop-In Center

CrossRoads Emergency Shelter

CrossRoads Emergency Shelter is a program that provides runaway, homeless and at-risk youth who are 18-21 with a safe place to sleep. This is the first of its kind in Wichita, Kansas.

CrossRoads Drop-in Shelter

The CrossRoads Drop-in Shelter located at 1110 N Emporia St., is our low barrier drop-in center for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth ages 24 and younger, and is open five days a week. Here, they are provided with a hot meal, clothing, hygiene products, and food bags to go. Youth are also able to access free WIFI, shower, do laundry, take naps, and work with knowledgeable and caring staff who can help secure housing, employment, ID cards, and other resources that are needed to help get them moving in the right direction. There are also various groups that meet at the CrossRoads Drop-in Shelter — such as Creative Writing, Substance Support, Healthy Relationships, Art Therapy and S.O.S. Thursday Night Group.

Outreach Programs

Street Outreach Services (SOS)

Imagine for a moment that you are a youth who has run away from home or you are without a stable place to stay. There might be a list of reasons why. Perhaps you escaped an abusive situation. Maybe your parents simply didn't understand you. Maybe you have been kicked out of home. Either way, the result is the same: you're homeless, hungry, scared, broke. Someone stole your only coat. You're not feeling so great. Things are bad, and getting worse fast. You don't know where to turn for help. Life just seems hopeless.

Fortunately, there is hope. Thanks to the Street Outreach program at the Wichita Children's Home, youth 12-21 yrs. of age that are in desperate situations have somewhere to turn for crisis intervention and response, support, advocacy, basic needs, and shelter. A specially equipped van cruises the streets of Wichita looking for youth who have reached the point of no return, offering to take them to the home or other shelter, provide them with basic necessities such as blankets, coats, first aid supplies, hygiene items and more. S.O.S. workers inform youth of community resources that can help. Most importantly, they listen. Our staff respond to youth in crisis 24 hours a day.

This service engages youth on the street and provides them with basic survival supplies, crisis intervention, support and community resource connections. S.O.S. offers a comprehensive array of services and resources to youth such as shelter, advocacy, basic case management and crisis intervention. WCH knows the importance of identifying and providing services to hundreds of youth with no one to turn to, who are homeless, runaway or without resources, including those involved in sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Project Safe Place

A cooperative effort between the Street Outreach program and QuikTrip® Corporation, Project Safe Place provide 24-hour access to help through Safe Place locations throughout the community or by calling the hotline number. Area QuikTrip® convenience stores serve as safe places for children and youth who are in crisis, runaway, or without a place to stay. If you are 21 years or younger and in need of immediate help, call (316) 262-HOME(4663) or text the word SAFE and your location to 69866.