Project 16:49 provides
life-changing opportunities

Our mission is to empower Rock County’s unaccompanied homeless youth to take action to achieve their goals.

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2024 Impact Report Summary

34

youth resided in our two Transitional Living Program homes

30

youth & children housed through our Rapid Rehousing Program (collaborative program with ECHO)

138

youth received Community Case Management support

19

Youth received aftercare services

305

high school students received Basic Needs Assistance

16 Hours and 49 Minutes: The time between school ending one day and starting the next.

These hours are a lonely, frightening and dangerous time for our unaccompanied homeless youth. Most “couch surf” – staying with extended family or friends, often moving weekly or even daily. Others sleep in cars, abandoned buildings and parks.

Project 16:49 is a local non-profit organization serving Rock County’s unaccompanied homeless youth ages 14 to 24 — primarily high school students. We believe every young person deserves an opportunity to succeed. To that end, Project 16:49 offers access to the services and support these youth need to complete their high school education, increase their self-sufficiency, and prepare for independent living.

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Our Impact

What we do

Project 16:49 operates two housing programs and offers a range of supportive services to meet the individual needs of youth experiencing homelessness. All assistance is free.

Community Care & Outreach

Transitional Living Program

Rapid Rehousing Program

We help homeless and at-risk youth access:

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Health Insurance & Health Care

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Hygiene Items

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Identification Documents

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Safe Housing Options

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Food & Food Share

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Local Resources & Services

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Become a volunteer

Project 16:49 volunteers make a positive impact and have fun at the same time. You can help make our events a success, raise awareness and resources, and/or keep our TLP homes welcoming and in good condition.

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Project 16:49 Blog

Latest Updates

After a year of couch surfing or sleeping in attics, and most recently, living in their car, they finally have a place they can call home, thanks to the new youth Rapid Rehousing Program.

A Place to Call Home

After a year of couch surfing or sleeping in attics, and most recently, living in their car, they finally have a place they can call home, thanks to the new youth Rapid Rehousing Program.

Project 16:49, in collaboration with ECHO, has expanded its services to now offer Rapid Rehousing to youth experiencing homelessness in Rock and Walworth Counties. This new program is part of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, a nationwide initiative to end youth homelessness in communities across the country. The program provides 24 months of rent assistance, case management and supportive services. Participants create personalized goal plans to achieve self-sufficiency and work toward becoming independent young adults. Our first participant in the program is 20-year-old Taylor. She and her 3-year-old son Riley have been on the housing assistance wait list for over 270 days and were homeless for over a year. Once Taylor was enrolled in our program, it took nearly three months to find affordable housing and a landlord willing to participate.  During this time, Taylor and Riley couch hopped, stayed in basements and finally in a motel. Project 16:49’s case manager maintained regular contact to provide basic needs assistance and general support, as well as identification of other resources and referrals that would be needed once they were housed. We are excited to share that ECHO’s housing navigator was able to help Taylor secure an apartment. Project 16:49’s staff coordinated Taylor’s move-in on February 3. This is the first time she has had a place to call her own, and the first time Riley has had his own room and his own bed. Project 16:49 and ECHO utilized in-kind donations received from the community to furnish and stock the apartment with the things Taylor and Riley needed to get started, including furniture, cleaning supplies, small appliances and bedding. For the first time in over a year, Taylor and Riley were able to enjoy a fully home-cooked meal rather than rely on microwaved or pre-made foods. She made fish and spaghetti, her favorite dish. Now that they have a place to call home, Taylor is excited to find employment and get Riley enrolled in Head Start, and complete her high school education. She told us that she hopes to use her first paycheck to buy Riley some new cars and a galaxy night light for his bedroom.

Project 16:49 Aids First Rapid Rehousing Recipient

This program, operated in collaboration with ECHO, helps youth experiencing homelessness in Rock and Walworth counties.

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Project 16:49 Staff Participate In Winter Homeless Count

During the count, volunteers search for and reach out to homeless individuals and families with the immediate goal of providing emergency shelter and supplies, and the long-term goal of eliminating homelessness.

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Your gift helps a young person find safety and support on their journey from homelessness to stability.

Your contribution is tax-deductible. Gifts of all sizes help and are appreciated!

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