Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness, of which 700,000 are unaccompanied minors, meaning they are not part of a family or are accompanied by a parent or guardian. On any given night, approximately 41,000 unaccompanied youth ages 13-25 experience homelessness.

YKQ, Inc. staff work closely with young people and have consistently seen the need for housing among some participating in their program. They have encountered amazing youth that have a housing barrier. Their home life is not a stable and safe environment, and it affects every aspect of their life. This knowledge resulted in the formation of the BRIDGES (Building Relationships and Independence while Developing Economic Stability) program. The reasons youth ages 16 to 24 become homeless are as unique as the person experiencing this painful reality. The results of youth homelessness (dropping out of school, encounters with the criminal justice system, and other troublesome experiences) only perpetuate the situation. The BRIDGES Program is designed to stop this vicious cycle through hands-on mentoring, a loving atmosphere that believes in education, and accessibility to financial and life skills classes. BRIDGES is designed to have two phases. The first is a time of close mentoring and the second is a time of independence building with a safety net.

To get where we are today with the building, we have had to pay for a line to be removed from the property, asbestos removal, tree removal, and finally, demolition, clean-up, and leveling. From here, it will be built into a 6,000-square-foot property. On the first floor, there will be three separate apartments renting for an exceptionally affordable $1 per square foot totaling $2150. Downstairs will house an independent retail space renting for $2.50 per square foot or $3,500 monthly. When fully occupied the income produced from the building will be $5,300 monthly. With the estimated costs to maintain the property projected at $1,483 per month, this building will be self-sustaining, and also fund positions are required to continue the work of Young Kings and Queens, Inc in the community.

YKQ Building Fund

By Young Kings and Queens

YKQ Building Fund