Reimagining a Future for Young People Experiencing Homelessness: Inspiration and Impact at YouthCare’s 2023 Annual Luncheon

About 800 people committed to ending youth homelessness in Washington state, recently attended YouthCare’s2023 Annual Luncheon in downtown Seattle.

At the event, YouthCare’s CEO Degale Cooper recognized Sheri Schultz as YouthCare’s 2023 Community Impact Honoree and announced that Sheri will serve as Honorary Co-Chair of YouthCare’s $30 million Community Campaign to build The Constellation Center. The project, which is located at the intersection of Broadway and Pine in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, will serve as a hub where housing, employment training, and other services will be accessible to young people in need all in one place.

During her speech accepting the award, Sheri asked the audience to imagine a future where young people are defined by their resilience, resourcefulness, and dreams. “With love, compassion, and opportunity, there is no limit to what our young people can accomplish,” said Sheri.

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Two young people who benefited from YouthCare’s programs also took to the stage.

Layla shared the difficulties of navigating foster care, psychiatric facilities, and homelessness and how, eventually, the staff at YouthCare showed her what she needed to do to move forward and take control of her life. “Whatever it is I choose in this life, it will be the purpose and meaning I choose for myself, the dream I dream for myself,” Layla told the audience.

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Cristian talked about how his mother encouraged him to join YouthBuild, a YouthCare pre apprenticeship program which Cristian said changed his life. Cristian said he now looks forward to the day he can start a family and teach his children that they too can “build their own future” when they have access to the support they need. 

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To learn more about YouthCare’s work, visit www.youthcare.org.

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