Larkin Street Keeps Homeless Youth Off the Streets

Larkin Street Youth Services helps San Francisco youth between the ages of 12 and 24 rebuild their lives. The non-profit was founded in 1984 by a group of local business owners, church members, and neighbors who were concerned about the increasing number of young people engaging in risky behaviors on the city's streets. Today, Larkin Street has 25 comprehensive programs in more than 15 sites across San Francisco, providing youth with a safe haven; restoring their sense of self-respect, self-confidence, hope, and trust; and teaching them school, life, and job skills. Serving thousands of individuals each year, Larkin Street has become an internationally recognized model for innovative and effective care for homeless and runaway youth.

A pioneer in its field, Larkin Street Youth Services is the only agency in San Francisco and one of a few nationwide to offer an extensive breadth of services with outstanding results. Three out of four youth who complete Larkin Street's programs stay off the streets for good.