BCOE School Ties & Prevention Services, in collaboration with the 6th St. Center for Youth and Voices United Youth Advisory Board, is organizing a series of local events in recognition of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month this November.

The media and public are invited to these events to help the community better understand and address the local youth homelessness crisis. Please join us on Nov. 14 for our “Light the Night” vigil at 5 p.m. at the Chico Municipal Building, 421 Main Street.

On any given night in Butte County, there are hundreds of youths in our community who have no safe place to stay. They are at risk for exposure to physical abuse, drug addiction, sex trafficking, and a host of mental health problems.

List of National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month events:

• Nov. 3: Tabling and running at Almond Bowl 5k/10k, 8 p.m. (Bidwell Park, Chico)
• Nov. 4: BCOE School Ties Open House (2491 Carmichael Dr., St. 400, Chico), noon-2 p.m.
• Nov. 4: Gridley City Council issues a proclamation recognizing homeless youth awareness month 
• Nov. 5: Chico City Council issues a proclamation recognizing homeless youth awareness month 
• Nov. 5: Oroville City Council issues a proclamation recognizing homeless youth awareness month
• Nov. 12: Butte County Board of Supervisors recognizes homeless youth awareness month
• Nov. 12: Paradise Town Council issues a proclamation recognizing homeless youth awareness month 
• Nov.14: “Go Green” Day for RHY Awareness
• Nov. 14: “Light the Night” Vigil, 5 p.m. at Chico Municipal Building, 421 Main Street

About BCOE School Ties & Prevention Services

School Ties & Prevention Services offer a variety of services for foster youth, including tutoring, mentoring, case management and educational advocacy.  It also provides services for students, or families with students, experiencing homelessness. Through drug, tobacco and youth mental health awareness, our wellness and prevention programs aim to help students develop the tools they need to make positive choices while navigating their way through life. For more information, contact Assistant Director Josh Indar at 530-879-3780, or at jindar@bcoe.org.

About the 6th St. Center for Youth

The 6th St. Center for Youth in Chico services about 275 youths experiencing homelessness each year. For more information, contact Jennifer Zellers, program manager, at 530-894-8008 or at jzellers@youth4change.org.