Youth Hope Foundation of Redlands, California

Hot Meals, Grocery Shopping, and a Food Pantry:

YouthHope serves hot nutritious meals three times per week, provides access to fresh grocery goods for youth in need, and also offers access to a non-perishable food pantry for homeless and run-away youth on the streets. YouthHope volunteers, including local church organizations, collaborate to provide hot, nutritious, ready to eat meals at each YouthHope gathering. YouthHope feeds between 70 and 100 hungry youth at each gathering. YouthHope welcomes all youth and no one is ever turned away. YouthHope does not require any registration or formal process by the youth to receive meals or services.

The Food We Serve:

Typical meals may include a pasta dish such as lasagna or spaghetti, salads, breads, and a dessert. We also often serve enchiladas, rice and beans, tortillas, and desserts. Other menu items routinely include; barbecued hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken. Menu items always include a portion of protein, a starch, vegetable or fruit, and dessert items. Many times, this meal may be the only nutritious meal that our youth receive that day. In addition to providing a hot, nutritious meal to hungry youth, the hot meal time provides a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere that encourages the youth, YouthHope case managers, and volunteers, to interact and establish trusting relationships. It is during these meal times that case managers often have an opportunity to informally discuss concerns and issues that the youth need assistance with.

Clothing & Essentials:

This program also provides youth with clothing throughout the year. YouthHope provides clothing for all seasons; winter, spring, fall, and summer. Youth requiring specific types of clothing for a job interview or summer activity are provided with their specific requirements. In addition to providing outerwear items, we also provide undergarments, socks and other essentials. We do our best to only provide clothing that is in-style, so as to protect the dignity and appearance of our youth.

Youth requiring hygiene items are also provided with necessities such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hair products, feminine hygiene products, and various other essentials.

During the Christmas holiday season, YouthHope sponsors the Shoes for Christmas, Hope for a Lifetime shoe program. YouthHope collaborates with the community at large to purchase a new pair of shoes for each youth. Many times these shoes are the only pair that a youth will receive for an entire year.

When youth are ready, YouthHope case managers and volunteers walk them through our various program options and opportunities. Our ultimate mission is to be a support system for homeless and underserved youth so they may grow up to be healthy, successful adults that exit street life. We serve youth ages 14-24 who are homeless, runaway, or at-risk of becoming homeless. We are a certified non-profit organization providing services in the City of Redlands and the surrounding areas of the Inland Empire.