The problem of homelessness for youth remains daunting. In Alameda County, there are more than 1,700 homeless youth living on the streets. Many come from troubled backgrounds—physical or mental abuse, dysfunctional families, painful childhoods.

EOCP’s Our House, located at 1024 101st Avenue in Oakland, offers hope to seven homeless youth at any given time with a safe place to call home. Residents are ages 18 to 25 years old—young people trying to establish a foothold in life. Led by a dedicated case manager/coordinator, staff serving Our House provides skills training, personal financial management tools, mental health counseling, self-discipline, guidance, and friendship. The small size of EOCP’s program allows our case manager to nurture each youth living at Our House. The combination of nurturance and consistency creates a balanced environment that helps young people develop into strong, self-sufficient adults.

EOCP established Our House in 1998 out of our work with the Alameda County Homeless Youth Collaborative, which is now the Oakland Homeless Youth Housing Collaborative.