Youth Navigation
Youth Navigation connects young people with trusted support, resources, and pathways to stability.
Youth Navigation supports young people ages 16 to 24 as they navigate homelessness, housing instability, and the path toward greater stability. Through trusted relationships, lived experience, and practical connection to resources, Youth Navigators help young people move toward their self-defined goals with dignity and support.
A Place 4 Me serves nearly 500 young people each year through Navigation Services. More than 40% of the young people we work with are parenting or expecting children of their own, making this support especially critical for young families as they work toward stability.
Our Youth Navigation services are designed by young people for young people, helping them navigate the challenges of housing instability and reach their aspirations.
How We Help
Through Youth Navigation, young people work one-on-one with Navigators who bring lived experience and offer support based on each person’s goals, needs, and situation. Together, they create a plan for what comes next, which may include:
finding safe, stable housing
accessing emergency assistance to prevent or end an episode of homelessness
getting help with housing-related barriers through the Dignity Fund, including support that helps young people obtain and maintain housing
getting a job or job training
enrolling in school or completing a GED
accessing healthcare or mental health support
building life skills like budgeting and self-advocacy
connecting to benefits and community resources
Our Navigators understand that every young person’s situation is different. They listen first and offer practical help, encouragement, and support without judgment, creating a space where young people feel seen, heard, and valued.
"A Place 4 Me gave me the support I needed when I was facing domestic violence and homelessness. They helped me secure a safe home for my children and me by covering my first month’s rent and security deposit. With their guidance, I was also able to improve my credit and build a more stable future—something I never could have done on my own."
Youth Navigation Program Participant
Who We Serve
We work with young people ages 16 to 24 in Cuyahoga County who are:
experiencing homelessness
at risk of homelessness
aging out of foster care
dealing with housing instability because of family conflict, poverty, or other challenges
No matter what your situation looks like, A Place 4 Me is here to help you take the next step forward.
Follow our journey.
