Providing a Beacon of Hope for Youth in South Dakota: The Circle

Family Connection Center Inc (FCC) received a $100,000 Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) to support the Safe Place Youth Emergency Shelter (Safe Place Shelter) in Rapid City. This funding will help FCC provide vital housing for young people experiencing homelessness in the area. 

Safe Place Shelter serves as a critical first step toward safety for youth, offering them a secure environment while they work with case managers to develop plans for independence. Through these partnerships, youth will also gain access to long-term housing, support services and essential skills aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness. 

Safe Place Shelter officially opened in 2024, marking a significant achievement for FCC in its mission to combat youth homelessness in western South Dakota. The need for this service is urgent, as there are currently 67 homeless youth ages 16 to 24 in the Rapid City area awaiting housing. This highlights the pressing demand for more shelter options. FCC is proud to report during Christmas 2024, Safe Place Shelter was able to refer and place four youth, offering them immediate relief and contributing to addressing the local demand. 

In South Dakota, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated only 16 Transitional Housing beds for homeless youth ages 16-24 across the entire state, with FCC managing 12 of those beds in Rapid City. 

The demand typically exceeds supply, with the need for transitional housing ranging from 70 to 100 beds statewide at any given time. This gap in services underscores the urgency of expanding resources for homeless youth in South Dakota. 

Safe Place Shelter operates nightly from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing a safe space for youth in crisis. Additionally, The Circle Drop-In Center, open during the daytime, offers a range of support services tailored to individual needs, unique goals and aspirations of youth. Both Safe Place Shelter and The Circle Drop-In Center are committed to providing resources necessary to help each young person achieve their full potential. 

While youth are sheltered at Safe Place Shelter, FCC will focus on long-term housing solutions. This includes utilizing their transitional housing and Rapid Rehousing options to help youth secure independent living spaces. This dual approach not only addresses immediate housing needs but also sets the foundation for long- term stability. 

By establishing a youth-specific emergency shelter like Safe Place Shelter, FCC aims to mitigate risk factors faced by vulnerable young people during a critical period in their lives. Safe Place Shelter’s proactive model works to prevent youth homelessness in adulthood. Through efforts of FCC, they are working to ensure youth in the Rapid City area have the support they need to overcome homelessness and avoid becoming the next generation of chronically homeless adults. 

 Through Safe Place Shelter, FCC, offers a beacon of hope for youth experiencing homelessness, the largest growing population of homeless individuals in the state. As FCC continues to expand its services and resources, they are committed to addressing the growing needs of homeless youth and provide them with support they need to build a brighter future.