News

Summer is over and young people in our community based and residential programs are back at school. Meanwhile, we’re reflecting on a sweet summer made even more special by the generosity of community partners through some pretty amazing field trips.

We could not be more proud of the young people in our programs graduating from high school! This year 100% of seniors in Second Story's programs are graduating -- 17 total. We can't wait to see what they do next, and we're eager to highlight just a few of Second Story's 2018 graduating seniors!

June is pride month, and this year we're talking about LGBTQ youth and homelessness. LGBTQ youth are 120% more at risk to be homeless, and face unique challenges. Learn more about how Second Story works with LGBTQ youth.

A recently released study found that 1 in 5 homeless youth were victims of human trafficking. Learn more about why homeless youth are so vulnerable and what Second Story is doing to help.

April is volunteer appreciation month! We truly could not provide safe spaces and opportunities to youth in crisis throughout Northern Virginia without YOUR support. Our dedicated volunteers give of their time and resources everyday. Just last year 1,821 volunteers gave 14,228 hours of their time to help us fulfill our mission. This month we’re recognizing just a few dedicated volunteers by asking them why they believe in Second Story.

1 in 10 young adults aged 18-25 experience homelessness every year, and about half of them experience homelessness in the form of couch surfing.

November is National Runaway Prevention Month. According to National Network for Youth, between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away every year. A life on the streets introduces a young person to an array of dangers: drugs, truancy, depression, sexual exploitation, even suicide. In Northern Virginia, though, there is another option: Second Story for Teens in Crisis.

At Second Story we believe that when families flourish, individuals flourish, and by responding to the needs of the family we are completing the circle -- strengthening communities and supporting young people even more effectively. Everyday Second Story is empowering men and women through the Culmore and Springfield Family Resource Centers. Just last year over 13,000 people were served through these centers.

As I approach my 20th year as CEO of Second Story, I reflect on all the ways we have grown and developed since I started. Amidst the change something rings true for me: dedication. Dedication of our staff, dedication to support young people, and your dedication as a community.

At Second Story, we are committed to addressing mental health and mental illness in a way that heals the whole person, strips away stigma, and works toward health and hope.

Technology is woven into the fabric of young people’s lives, their relationships, and their consciousness. To care about a young person is to care about their online presence and take proactive measures to ensure their safety.

Traffickers and abusers prey on the vulnerable, the ones with no place to go and no one looking out for them. “Pedophiles and criminals know to go to low-income places because the kids are more vulnerable,” says Nandred Navarro, Vice President of Community-Based Services at Second Story. The statistics are clear: a young person without a safe place to stay is more at risk to be sexually abused or trafficked.

"Summer’s surge of freedom can be sweet for a lot of kids, but it also opens them up to more risks--especially if there is a lack of accountability and care at home," says Judith Dittman CEO of Second Story.

"If we can’t remedy the situation over the phone, then they can come in and stay in our program, and really look at what the issues are at home," said Meghan.

Second Story is on the steering committee of Culmore Clean-Up, a project which is focused each year on beautifying and enlivening the Culmore community.