Services and Access

Population Served

Community Need

Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Agency, Mission and History

What is Larkin Street’s mission?
The mission of Larkin Street Youth Services is to create a continuum of services that inspires youth to move beyond the street. We will nurture potential, promote dignity, and support bold steps by all.

When was Larkin Street founded?
The agency was founded in 1984 by a group of local business owners, church members, and neighbors who were concerned by the rising number of young people engaging in risky behavior on the street.

What makes Larkin Street unique?
Larkin Street is the only organization in San Francisco that provides the full spectrum of support young people need to achieve their full potential. Our continuum of care offers youth a range of housing options—from emergency to permanent—and wraparound support including case management, counseling, medical care, education and employment programs to meet the varied, complex, and evolving needs of youth who are homeless and on the streets of San Francisco.

How do you see the agency’s programs growing in the future?
Larkin Street is committed to expanding supportive housing options for youth with the goal of adding 100 new beds within five years. As outlined in our strategic plan, we will focus the housing on our most vulnerable youth – those with mental health and substance abuse issues and those emancipating out of the foster care system.  We also plan to enhance and expand our innovative wraparound services by adding a new GED teacher; offering more groups and individual counseling; and providing more skill building activities, including budgeting and cooking classes, to help young people successfully transition into adulthood. 

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What programs do you offer?
Larkin Street offers a broad continuum of services especially designed to meet the needs of homeless, marginally-housed, and at-risk youth ages 12 – 24, and help them make a permanent transition from street life to independence. Programs include street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional living and permanent housing, case management, medical care, specialty care and housing for HIV+ youth, mental health and substance abuse services, and education and employment programs. Click here for detailed information on each of Larkin Street’s component programs.

Where are you located?
Larkin Street’s programs operate out of eleven locations throughout San Francisco. Our administrative offices are located at:
          1138 Sutter Street
          San Francisco, CA 94609

How can a youth access your services?
Larkin Street’s shelter services are accessible 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. A young person who is under the age of 18 can visit our Drop-In Center at 1142 Sutter Street Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Tuesday between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, and Sunday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm and the Diamond Youth Shelter at 536 Central Avenue Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between the hours of 8:30 pm and 7:30 am, Tuesday between the hours of 6:30 pm and 7:30 am, and Sunday between the hours of 4:00 pm and 7:30 am. Older youth, ages 18 – 24, can visit the Lark-Inn for Youth shelter 24-hours a day, seven days a week, at 869 Ellis Street. Trained staff at these locations will link youth to other programs in the Larkin Street continuum for medical care, education and employment support, mental health and substance abuse services.

What should I do if I see someone on the street who could use Larkin Street’s help?
Tell them about Larkin Street! They should call our toll-free number (800-447-8223 or 800-669-6196) to be linked with a hot meal and a warm bed that night.

What does it take to help a kid get of the street for good?
Larkin Street focuses first on meeting each young person’s most basic needs: safe shelter, nutritious food, and medical care. Our highly trained staff then work with each young person to develop trusting relationships that create the foundation for self-esteem, confidence, and long-term success. Counselors and case managers help each young person to identify goals and create a plan for achieving them, while also addressing underlying mental health or substance abuse issues that may create barriers to their success. Over time, youth develop the life skills and focus to work toward educational and employment goals. With the caring, consistent support of Larkin Street’s staff, and access to youth-focused housing programs that will best meet their needs, our clients find a permanent pathway off the streets.

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Who does Larkin Street serve?
Larkin Street serves homeless and runaway youth, ages 12 – 24, who are on the streets of San Francisco, often through no fault of their own. Homeless and runaway youth represent diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Among youth served by Larkin Street last year, 40% were white, 27% were African American, 15% were Latino/a, 4% were Asian or Pacific Islander, 3% were Native American, and 11% were of another or mixed race descent. By gender, 60% were male, 35% were female, and 2% were transgender. By sexual orientation, 65% identified as straight and 27% identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. The age range of youth served varied from 12 to 24, with the vast majority (80%) between the ages of 18 and 24.

Despite their diversity, these young people share common histories of abuse and neglect: more than 3/4 of Larkin Street’s clients have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused, the vast majority cannot return home because their parents are unwilling or unable to care for them, and 2/3 have histories of suicidal ideation or attempts. Over 50% of youth report they are “throwaways,” kids whose parents have forced them to leave home, or who knew they were leaving but did not care. The needs of these young people are broad, ranging from crisis intervention and medical care, to safe, stable housing, to education and employment support. The most basic need these youth share is for a caring, nurturing, and safe environment where they can build trusting relationships along with the skills and confidence to achieve their potential.

How many young people do you serve each year?
In 2005-06, Larkin Street served 2,212 youth through its onsite programs, and made thousands of contacts with youth on the streets through the agency’s Street Outreach program. In total, 640 youth accessed our residential programs (emergency, transitional or permanent housing); 1,416 youth accessed drop-in services at the Drop-In Center or Haight Street Referral Center; and 634 youth enrolled in education or employment training programs at HIRE UP.

Why do you serve young people over 18?
Few young people are truly prepared for independence when they turn 18; most require the ongoing emotional and financial support of their families until they connect with the labor force in their 20s. For youth who share traumatic histories of abuse and neglect, for whom the risks of street life are less dangerous than those they faced at home, and for those whose parents are unable or unwilling to care for them, Larkin Street provides support through that transition.

Do you keep in touch with former clients?
Yes! Whenever possible, Larkin Street provides ongoing follow-up with former clients for at least one year after they leave services—often, we stay in touch for much longer. Former clients are invited back for community meals and holiday celebrations, and they participate in various support groups to help motivate current youth toward success.

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What are the most pressing issues that homeless and runaway kids face these days?
The needs vary dramatically among the kids Larkin Street serves. Some require only short-term housing and support while they work to resolve family issues before returning home. Others require much more intensive and long-term support as they overcome mental health and substance abuse issues, past trauma, and severe educational and life skill deficits along the path toward independence. The most pressing need to ensure each of our client’s permanent transition from street life is increased supportive housing options. There are too few transitional and permanent housing programs in San Francisco that are age-appropriate for our kids, who require a safe, stable place to live as they address the other barriers to their independence.

Are there any new issues arising?
The basic issues that at-risk kids faced twenty years ago remain the same: histories of abuse and neglect, vulnerability to substance abuse, and mental health issues. The most notable difference today is that far more kids have never experienced “home” or “family” in the traditional sense. Shuttled between foster care placements and group homes, or on their own from an alarmingly young age, these kids have had few positive, consistent adult role models. The chaos they have experienced throughout their childhoods leave them with little understanding of safety and stability. Larkin Street must work that much harder to build caring, trusting relationships with these young people, so they can begin to build their confidence and self-esteem along with the skills they need to be independent.

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How can I help?
Larkin Street offers numerous ways for you to support our work. Make a financial contribution, volunteer your time, contribute in-kind gifts such as clothes or gift cards, include Larkin Street in your estate, or let an at-risk young person in your life know that we provide the help they need to get off the streets for good.

Can I volunteer?
Yes! Larkin Street has individual and group volunteer opportunities. Call Jeff at (415) 673-0911, ext. 291 or email volunteer@larkinstreetyouth.org for more information.

Do you accept donations other than cash?
In addition to contributing time or money, you may make an in-kind donation to help the kids we serve. We accept donations of clean, professional clothing, gift cards, personal hygiene supplies and other gifts, especially during the holiday season. To find out more about our seasonal needs and how we accept in-kind contributions, contact Jeff at (415) 673-0911, ext. 291 or volunteer@larkinstreetyouth.org.

What is Larkin Street’s greatest need?
Larkin Street depends on the generous financial contributions of community members to make our work possible. Please click here for detailed information about how to make a financial gift to Larkin Street.

What are Larkin Street’s funding sources?
Larkin Street maintains a diverse funding base to support the agency’s annual operations. Approximately 62% comes from public sources, including local, state and federal agencies, and 38% comes from private sources. Last year, the mix of private funding was 49% individuals, 35% foundations, and 14% corporations, with the balance coming from civic and religious institutions.

Do clients pay for services?
No. Youth are not expected to pay for any of the services they receive from Larkin Street. To build financial literacy skills and encourage money management, some of our residential programs include mandatory savings plans, but each young person’s contributions are returned to them in-full when they complete the program.

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