Youth & Children

According to The National Center on Family Homelessness, families with children make up over a third (34%) of the homeless population, and that number continues to grow. The City of Philadelphia Office of Supportive Housing estimates that on any night in Philadelphia, over 1,000 children and their families are homeless. One of the unique aspects of NPIHN’s program is its commitment to providing child-friendly living accommodations and services. 

The trauma of homelessness and economic uncertainty take an insurmountable toll on children and teens.  Within a single year, 97% of homeless children have moved, interrupting their schooling and removing them from family relationships.  25% have witnessed violence.  About half of all school-aged children experiencing homelessness face emotional disturbances caused by anxiety and depression.  Academic and social challenges in school are common. The high school graduation rate for homeless teens in Pennsylvania is less than 25%.

 

NPIHN services for children and teens were created to foster personal growth in the youth of our program.  We have learned from our families that if parents did not have opportunities for personal growth as children, they have little imagination about ways to help their own children develop character.  Our services are intended to address the emotional needs of youth experiencing or recovering from homelessness and expose them to new personal growth opportunities.

 

 Children’s Art and Music Therapy

 

Children and teens participate in art and music therapy sessions facilitated by BuildABridge to foster self-expression. Individual play therapy is also available upon request.  

 

Children’s Extracurricular Activity Scholarships (Sparks Program)

Football

 

Children and teens (up to age 20) in our shelter and post-shelter program can obtain extracurricular activity scholarships from NPIHN for participation in a wide variety of activities year-round. Our goal is for our youth to identify and develop lifelong interests so they can be actively involved in shaping their own futures.

 

Parents and their children work with the Career Developer and Youth Engagement Counselor, Geoffrey T. Woodland, to select age-appropriate activities. NPIHN has a network of various local organizations we work with to expose our youth to new academic, extracurricular and employment opportunities.

 

 

   For children:

  • Artology (a summer camp that combines love of nature and art)
  • Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Camp
  • Boys and Girls Clubs
  • Build-A-Bridge
  • Department of Recreation
  • Dream Camp
  • Fleisher Art Memorial
  • Mt. Airy Bantams baseball, football, and cheerleading teams
  • PAL Summer Camp
  • Philadelphia Zoo Camp
  • Settlement Music School

 

  For teens:

  • Academic and athletic travel competitions
  • Class trips

     

  • College tours and application fees
  • Dance, art, music and drama classes
  • High school baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and track  teams
  • Leadership development seminars
  • Music lessons
  • Overnight camp
  • SAT college prep classes
  • School enrichment programs

 First job!

Teen Employment Programs

 

 Parents and their teenagers in our shelter and post-shelter program can make appointments with NPIHN’s Career Development and Youth Engagement Counselor, Geoffrey T. Woodland, to plan recreational, volunteer, internship and employment opportunities.

 

With Geoff’s guidance, participating teens in our program:
- Create resumes & obtain working papers for summer positions
- Identify personal strengths as they relate to potential careers
- Learn what is expected of them in the workplace
- Network with adults working in their areas of interest
- Learn how to manage their money