From Homelessness to Hope – Jackson Street Youth Services Offers Range of Services September 8, 2025 A bright yellow door greets residents and visitors at Jackson Street Youth Services’ emergency and transitional living shelter in Albany, across the street from Eleanor Hackleman Park. The color is a beacon for teens and young adults experiencing homelessness in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. Here, they are safe. Here, they are surrounded by adults they can trust. Here, there is hope. Founded in 1999, Jackson Street Youth Services works to prevent youth homelessness through programs including street outreach, mentorship and 24/7 shelters where they can escape trouble at home and learn basic skills for independent living. Data shows that one in 30 youth ages 13-17 and one in 10 young adults ages 18-25 are homeless across the U.S. Jackson Street Youth Services serves approximately 1,000 youth annually across its programs, with support from community partners including InterCommunity Health Network (IHN-CCO). Kendra Phillips-Neal, Jackson Street’s executive director, said homeless youth face higher risk for assault, victimization, human trafficking, mental health and addiction problems, illness, malnutrition and injury. Their mission is to promote safety, stability and well-being for these individuals and provide them with a pathway to long-term success. 24/7 Shelters At the Albany House, Phillips-Neal said runaways or teens dealing with conflict at home are given respite from situations that can lead to self-harm or suicidal ideation. After 72 hours, they begin meeting with a case manager who considers their own unique trauma-informed needs. “Hopefully being here is taking away that survival need,” Phillips-Neal said. “They can start thinking about things a week from now, instead of what’s happening tonight.” Jackson Street runs two emergency and transitional living shelters for youth ages 10-17. The Albany House has 16 beds, and a second house in Corvallis has 10 beds. Once youth are screened to ensure they are a good fit, they are brought in where staff is available 24/7 to help them with health, hygiene, attending school and other daily routines. Residents plan, cook and eat meals together, and they are also responsible for daily chores such as washing dishes, mopping floors and cleaning cabinets. Food for the shelters comes mostly from the Linn Benton Food Share and other community donations. Family reunification is always the first priority, Phillips-Neal said. However, until they turn 18, there is no limit to how long residents may stay. “We’ve definitely raised a handful of youth,” Phillips-Neal said. “We do our best to make sure they’re comfortable and have what they need.” Youth Service Center & ‘Next Steps’ Not far from the Albany House, Jackson Street has also purchased space for a new Youth Service Center and drop-in location. The building is now being renovated and is expected to open in October. The center will serve any youth ages 12-24 experiencing homelessness. Here, they will be able to relax, take a shower, do laundry and pick up toiletries or other essentials. They can also meet with their case manager or participate in other programming with local community partners. “Our community has been absolutely huge in our success,” Phillips-Neal said. For youth ages 18-24, Jackson Street’s “Next Steps” transitional living program offers housing stability and teaches them to be self-sufficient. Many participants arrive after having lived in their cars, out of tents or couch-surfing, Phillips-Neal said. “Next Steps” housing is available in both Albany and Corvallis. A new triplex is being built in Albany which will add another 18 beds to the program, bringing the total number to 43. Both the triplex and new Youth Service Center are being funded in part by the Oregon Health Authority. “Youth experiencing homelessness can seem like an invisible problem,” Phillips-Neal said. “These programs allow our youth and young adults to be seen.” Ways You Can Help Jackson Street Youth Services invites you to volunteer as a mentor or academic coach, join their Ambassador Team, or donate supplies or cash.
