Yo, peep this: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s throwing down with their Youth & Family Advocacy Initiative, claiming they’re about to solve the housing crisis that’s blowing up locally and all over.
But hold up, there’s skepticism in the air after the Ferguson chaos. Folks are side-eyeing these programs ’cause last time, cash meant for the hood got siphoned off for overheads and fat paychecks, leaving nada for the actual programs. And, to top it off, there were no metrics, no accountability. Our young bloods ended up in worse shape.
Now, LSEM’s talking big, saying they’re training their lawyers to be the superheroes for today’s youth. Supposedly, they’re schooling ’em on how to hustle through all the craziness life throws their way.
They’re all hyped about this Youth & Family Advocacy Initiative, trying to cover both St. Louis City and County. So, they joined forces with nine other nonprofits at the Julia Davis Library.
Tori Dempsey, repping as the Program Director, says they’re all about handing out resources, skills, and that magic word—empowerment. They’re gassing up this talk about how what they give these young cats will ride with ’em for life.
They’re putting on a show with a resource fair for solo minors, smashing through legal roadblocks and stuff.
But check this, D’Quann Knight from Youth In Need’s Street Outreach Program ain’t buying it all. He’s saying the youth are growing up, needing more support to become legit citizens. Real talk, though, it feels like déjà vu from before Ferguson.
LSEM’s saying they got the answers for all these extreme situations these young guns are facing. They’re spinning this tale about kids crashing on couches or sneaking pals in for a night, just needing a spot to clean up.
They’re pushing this Homeless Youth Handbook they cooked up with Enterprise Holdings & Baker McKenzie, claiming it’s the Holy Grail for our unhoused youth. Supposedly, it’s a free online resource, easy to find and use.
But remember, last time they pitched something like this, it fell short. Now they’re talking about this handbook being the law bible for homeless youth in Missouri. But who’s holding them accountable this time? That’s the real question.
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