In 2017, VOICES was asked to engage local youth and adult leaders in a planning process to address the needs of transition-age youth in Solano County. In late 2018, VOICES staff began conducting an in-depth assessment of community readiness involving youth and adult leaders from public and private agencies, revealing deep needs and highly motivated youth and adults. A team of nine original Youth Founders, all current and former foster youth between the ages of 16 and 24, have co-created a framework for a youth-designed and youth-led Center modeled after the existing centers in Napa and Santa Rosa.
VOICES Solano opened on Sept. 14, 2019
VOICES SOLANO LOCATION & HOURS
Address
646 Tennessee St
Vallejo, CA 94590 [Map]
Phone: (707) 917-5904
Fax: (707) 731-1268
Drop-in Hours
Tuesday - Friday: 1:00 - 6:00pm
Staff Available (via phone & email/social media)
Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
CORE PROGRAMS
All of VOICES’ programs are administered through a trauma-informed lens, and are led by teams of youth and adults in a family-like environment. Support and safety, comprehensive education, employment, health, and housing services are housed under one roof at VOICES.
Support services fall under the following core programs:
Housing Support: VOICES coaches support homeless youth each year through LIFE Conferences. Each youth identifies their goals and a team of caregivers, systems professionals, and permanent connections to support their transition from homelessness. Youth present their goals, receive support to develop a Life Plan, and implement that Plan with the assistance of adult and peer coaches.
Health and Wellness Services: VOICES promotes the wellness of youth by providing centralized services and coordinating a seamless referral system. Through extensive training and program development, VOICES has become a model trauma-informed organization. All health and safety skills are provided through a trauma lens, which enables more young people to engage fully and make progress towards wellness goals. VOICES youth staff co-facilitate trauma education workshops for youth twice per month to open discussions about harmful coping strategies and opportunities for change. Additionally, VOICES Health Navigators coach youth to set wellness goals, connect to subsidized mental health counseling, nutrition, pregnancy prevention, and substance abuse recovery resources and provide ongoing support to maintain the youth’s involvement in services.
Employment and Education Services: VOICES supports youth in achieving employment, academic success, and career exploration. Employment services include job readiness training, placements, retention support, and career exploration. Education services will include tutoring, admissions and academic counseling, financial aid assistance, and financial literacy workshops.
VOICES Solano is funded by the Homeless Emergency Aid Program through the State of California.