​The latest news from HopePHL is here. Click on the Read More button for program announcements, success stories, events like our Jazz Fest Pop Up Events, and how to support our mission.

Each day teens like Terrance (name changed to protect his privacy), in our Arise transitional housing program, find much needed support and services, often for the first time in their lives, that help them build essential resiliency skills and learn to navigate life’s ups and downs so they can achieve their goals. Terrance grew up without the safety and stability that his peers had. He struggled with undiagnosed mental health issues, self-medicated with substance use, and experienced homelessness – sometimes even finding shelter in abandoned buildings. He was tired of feeling lost, wanted a home, and needed a support network of caring people.

The atmosphere was breezy, warm and promising as program teams set up their tables with newly branded materials, giveaways, candy, and activities for HopePHL's first Spring program fair. By four o'clock, team leaders were ready for guests to check in at registration, grab their "Program Bingo" and snacks and come learn about their programs. Local residents, children, politicians, school district representatives and more stopped by to meet the teams of the newly merged organization and were met with smiles and for some, on the spot enrollments. Some danced to the music wafting through the air and munched on strawberries and pretzels, while others had in-depth discussions about rental assistance, the upcoming Teen Conference and needed resources.
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Recently, local Congressional members proposed increasing support for two key programs that support thousands of Pennsylvania's children and youth experiencing homelessness. A bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter was circulated in the U.S. House of Representatives, calling for $800 million for the McKinney-Vento Act's Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program and $300 million for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) program in the FY2024 budget.

The EHCY and RHYA programs have been underfunded for several years, but the American Rescue Plan delivered increases to these programs, thanks to bipartisan support that seized on the opportunity to expand services. As a result, Pennsylvania received a one-time allocation of $32 million to serve over 30,000 children and youth experiencing homelessness, compared to the usual budget of less than $6 million. This increase helped 8,000 children and youth experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia.
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We are happy to report that Congresspersons Dwight Evans (Philadelphia), Mary Jo Scanlon (Delaware), Susan Wild (Lehigh), and Brendan Boyle (Philadelphia) have signed onto the letter. The next step is for the House Appropriations Committee to decide whether to support this effort. We are reaching out to PA-based Appropriations Committee members Guy Renschenthaler (14th District, SW Pennsylvania) and Matt Cartwright (8th District, NW Pennsylvania), and we ask advocates in those regions to contact their representatives.