YouthHope Foundation

About Us

Our Mission

YouthHope Foundation is an independent, certified 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The organization was established in 2009 to build confidence and promote self-sufficiency for homeless, runaway, trafficked, and at-risk youth, ages 14-24, by providing trust, hope, support, and education. YouthHope was established to provide a support system for youth in a safe and caring environment so they may grow to be healthy, self-sustaining adults.

Our History

Mrs. Heidi Mayer is the Founder and the Executive Director of YouthHope. Mrs. Mayer first experienced homeless outreach programs in 2003 while chaperoning a mission trip to the West Coast cities of San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. She visited dozens of shelters, drop-in centers, and outreach providers in a variety of settings. Mrs. Mayer found her heart changed by the abused and neglected homeless, runaway, and under-served youth whom she met and served. She realized that she could no longer sit on the sidelines knowing that there were thousands of youth who were abused, neglected, and going hungry every day.

Statistics

The target population served by the YouthHope Foundation is one of the communities' most vulnerable. Many of the youth we serve are victims of insufficient family structure, aging out of the foster care system, drug addiction, and homelessness. YouthHope case managers recently surveyed 717 of the youth attendees. Of these,

45% were homeless and living on the streets,

26% were abused as young children,

14% were in the foster care system,

29% have parents with drug or alcohol substance abuse problems, and

89% were classified as low income.

YouthHope is located in Redlands, California and provides services to youth residing in the City of Redlands and from the surrounding areas of the Inland Empire. According to the California Homeless Youth Project, more than 4,300 youth are experiencing homelessness in San Bernardino County either within their family unit or are homeless by themselves. Of those that are homeless, 41% of homeless youth are sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation.

Successes

Statistics

In 2019, YouthHope saw the following successes:

791 bus passes were handed out for youth going to school
33 youth created resumes
53 youth graduated high school
39 youth earned their Food Handlers Certificates
Over 60 youth received jobs
Provided over 9,000 services to youth

Since 2009, YouthHope has served over 4,200 different youth.

In 2020, YouthHope changed the way we served our community because of COVID and we were able to help in the following ways:

1,399 boxes of groceries to youth and community
2,661 to go meals to youth at our Drop in Center
7,659 meals on the streets to youth

Mon	08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Tue	08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Wed	08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Thu	08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Fri	Closed
Sat	Closed
Sun	Closed