Are you a young person who is living on the street, couch surfing, or in a dangerous living situation just to have a roof over your head?  Do you dream of having your own place, being successful at your job, and building your own family?  Sojourners can help you.

Are you a young person struggling to find and hold down a job?  Do you need to complete your high school diploma or get a GED, but have never found a program that feels like the right fit for you?  Sojourners can help you.

Are you a married or single person who dreams of helping a child or adolescent who is struggling and are willing to open your home and become a bigger family? Sojourners NEEDS you!

Family Support: 

Sojourners was founded in 1999 as a foster care agency and continues to support young people experiencing foster care with a family environment through our network of over a dozen foster care homes.  Care and support provided by these dedicated families help to create stability and begin to help children and adolescents heal from issues related to trauma and abuse.

Young people transitioning out of foster care can enroll in Sojourners’ Bridges program for assistance with housing, utilities, and the cost of living while they are actively employed or taking part in an education or training program. They also receive supportive case management services from Sojourners’ Bridges Liaisons while in the program.

Housing: 

Sojourners assists runaway and homeless youth in Southeastern Ohio through our network of emergency shelters and short- and long-term housing programs. Each young person entering our housing receives help with immediate needs followed by case management to help them move from volatile, unsafe living environments to more stable housing.

Our emergency housing shelters are located in these southern Ohio communities: Athens, Chillicothe, Gallipolis, McArthur, and Wellston. Sojourners’ shelter staff can help residents with food, transportation, and other support to get them on their feet.

Job Training and Education:

A key to independent living is being able to find and keep a well-paying job.  This can be challenging for many young people today, especially in rural Appalachian Ohio. Sojourners’ YouthBuild of Southeast Ohio provides job readiness training, career exploration, academic assistance, and work experience to help young people to reach education and career goals.

If you need support now, or know of a young person who needs help, call 740-596-1117, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are standing by to help those who need it.