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When Springfield entered a shelter-in-place order last summer, Rare Breed Youth Services and other programs of The Kitchen, Inc. adapted to continue serving people who are homeless.
“How can you shelter-in-place when you don’t have a home?” Meleah Spencer, CEO, said in a news release. “We were committed to staying open and serving our clients safely. Rare Breed is a central hub for youth services and often the first point of contact for youth experiencing homelessness. We needed to stay open for youth.”
Staying open meant making changes to ensure youths could access resources safely and quickly, the release said. Rare Breed began educating youth about handwashing, social distancing, masking, and dispelling misinformation. Staff continues to be a source of accurate virus and vaccine information for youths.
Rare Breed made other changes to streamline services. The new youth entrances and exits reduce bottlenecking and create a flow for youths to check-in, sign up for showers or laundry, speak with case managers, and access other services.
“We’ve seen a change in how youth use the center. Last summer, we encouraged youth to access the services they need and move through the center quickly because we needed to limit how many youth could be in the building at a time and safely distance. Now youth are in a routine of being service focused when they visit,” Kathy Westmoreland, youth services coordinator, said in the release.
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The new model has created a purpose-driven environment to help youths focus on accessing services that lead to stability. Whether that is housing, going back to school, getting eyeglasses, or finding a job — case managers are ready to talk with youths, make referrals for outside services, and coach youths through each step on their path towards stability and independent adult lives.
About Rare Breed Youth Services
Rare Breed Youth Services is a central hub that provides immediate access to basic human needs and rapid access to community services for homeless and at-risk youths ages 13-24. Rare Breed is a program of The Kitchen, Inc., whose mission is to bring stability and purpose to people who are homeless.
Rare Breed is located at 301 N. Main Ave.
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Since January, Rare Breed has served 469 youths; 191 youths were accessing services for the first time.
Rare Breed serves about 30 to 50 youths every day the center is open.
Rare Breed is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for youths ages 13 to 24.  Youths can get a meal at 4 p.m. and snacks are available throughout the day. Youths can also get nonperishables for the weekends.
Volunteers are needed to provide the 4 p.m. dinner for the youths. This is a good opportunity for church or civic groups who can prepare 40 meals in advance and drop them off at the center.
Individual volunteers are needed 9-11 a.m. Tuesday through Friday to help sort donations.
Volunteers can call 417-225-7415 or email eherbig@thekitcheninc.org to get involved.
The Rare Breed needs donations of new men's and women's underwear and high-protein snacks.
As cold weather approaches, donations of long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts and coats for teens and young adults are needed.
To learn more, visit www.thekitcheninc.org.
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