Looking Glass Community Services has opened a new, low-barrier homeless youth shelter called the PEER Shelter (PEER stands for Persevere, Enlighten, Empower, Renew). The 24-hour accessible low-barrier shelter is for youth ages 16 – 24 years old who are unhoused or otherwise in crisis. The shelter provides youth at risk of being victimized on the streets, a safe, supervised living environment, medical care, basic needs, case management, and substance abuse and mental health treatment access to assist them in moving towards stabilization.
A “low-barrier” shelter means that anyone in the age range experiencing homelessness can access shelter without prerequisites, eliminating sobriety requirements and pet ownership, among other barriers. Access can be walk-in, drop off via EMS, law enforcement, Project Safe Place, or referral. The shelter can also perform transport.
The PEER shelter is part of a collaborative BHRN (Behavioral Health Resource Network) comprised of several Lane County nonprofits working together to address drug and alcohol dependency and homelessness, and is funded, in part, by Lane County and the Oregon Health Authority as a result of measure 110. The BHRN partner agencies include Center for Family Development; Emergence; HIV Alliance; Housing Our Veterans; Laurel Hill Center; Looking Glass Community Services; Restored Connections Peer Center; Transponder; Shelter Care; Veteran’s Legacy; and White Bird Clinic.
“We are excited to introduce the PEER Shelter to the community and in particular to the young people in dire need of our services,” explained Chad Westphal, of Looking Glass. “For too long these youth have faced victimization on the streets while also struggling with addiction, mental health, and the inability to find housing. They now have a point of entry where they can safely exit the streets and progress on a healthier path. We are grateful to Lane County and Measure 110 for their support, and to our shelter team members who have worked so hard in preparation for our first admissions. We look forward to working with the many community partners that will contribute to the program’s success moving forward.”
The PEER shelter is located off Martin Luther King Blvd and operates a 24-hour phone hotline - (800) 422-2595.
For more information about this new program go to www.lookingglass.us/peer
More information about the Lane County BHRN can be found here https://www.bhrnlc.com