About Us

The National Network for Youth has been serving the youth of America for more than 30 years by championing the needs of runaway, homeless and other disconnected youth. We do this through federal policy advocacy, sharing resources and encouraging community based services. Our reach is extended through our member organizations, allowing us to be in numerous communities throughout the country as we create a neighborhood of support for the next generation.

Our members are community-based organizations along with their neighborhood youth, adults, associations, and regional and state networks of youth workers. These builders of the future provide street-based services, emergency shelter, transitional living programs, counseling, and social, health, educational and job-related services to homeless and vulnerable youth.

Located in Washington, DC, the National Network has built relationships with policymakers and government agencies in order to champion the diverse needs of homeless and disconnected youth to ensure that opportunities for growth, safety, and development be available to youth everywhere. Together with our members, we recommend strategic and targeted actions to support coordinated efforts to engage, serve, and successfully support youth who experience homelessness.

The National Network is committed to ensuring that opportunities for growth and development be available to our neighbors everywhere. The youth we work with face greater odds due to abuse and neglect, homelessness, lack of resources, community prejudice, differing abilities and other life challenges.

Accomplishments

• NN4Y was the architect of the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) signed into law in 1974 and has been actively involved in every subsequent reauthorization and expansion.
• NN4Y was instrumental in changing the definition of homelessness in the McKinney-Vento Act to be more inclusive.
• NN4Y is relied upon by Congress and the Administration to advise them on the needs of youth without homes.
• NN4Y has formed a close alliance with the Interagency Council to End Homelessness.

Vision

National Network for Youth envisions a world where vulnerable youth have a safety net everywhere they turn — therefore creating positive and strong communities one youth at a time.

Mission Statement

The mission of National Network is to connect and champion the needs of runaway, homeless, and other disconnected youth through policy advocacy, sharing resources and encouraging community based services.

Become a Member Today

Download this application, fill it out, and mail in the completed form with a check and start receiving membership benefits right away!