For many homeless youth, the biggest challenge is staying on track with studies and keeping a job while living on the streets. Keeping up grades and making it to work each day can be tough when you’re hopping from couch to couch each night. But statistically, we know staying in school and keeping a job are key ingredients to breaking the cycle of poverty and chronic, long-term homelessness.

For years, those of us working to end homelessness in our community have been longing for a true federal partner. That day may have come. Last month, the Obama administration announced that the President was signing into action the nation’s first ever strategic plan to end homelessness.

At YouthLink, our volunteers are a key part of our work. They inject enthusiasm and add different perspectives to our teams. And, they always make a difference. That sums up Cindy Smith’s involvement with YouthLink perfectly.