Jeffrey Sitcov - Doors Of Change

Tell Me Your Story

doorsofchange.org Instructions- Discuss Doors of Change, focus on homeless Youth (Brief Mention of Three Dog Night) In the last year, homeless youth has increased considerably. However, in a strange twist of fate, the virtual world that has sprung up out of the pandemic ruins has given a rise to opportunities and the youth seeking help. The unique music and arts programs that Doors of Change offers homeless youth has not only saved lives, but taken these young people from hopeless situations to college degrees. *** In addition to the info below, the Grammy Nominated THREE DOG NIGHT has offered San Diego a special Concert of Hope for Homeless Youth. benefiting DOORS OF CHANGE on Thursday, June 30th, 2022 - 7:30 to 10:00pm (VIP Reception at 5:30pm) at the Moonlight Amphitheater, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista, CA 92084 Sample youth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k51MapGILQA As San Diego's Doors Of Change Celebrates 20 Years of Outreach, Pandemic Silver Linings Are Found In A New Virtual World For The Nearly 3.5 Million Homeless Youth Across America Doors of Change would like to introduce you to Jeffrey Sitcov (President & Founder of Doors of Change) and just some of the young people and their stories, whose lives have been forever positively affected, including Justine, who are breaking of the hopeless homeless cycle. In 20 years of helping homeless youth, Doors of Change (DOC) has accumulated numerous remarkable experiences, just one among them is Justine. She was 12 years old when she fled to the streets -- her mothers boyfriend was prone to punching her and pulling her hair, but the day he started to take off her clothes was the day she made the decision to chance life on the streets. The emotional, physical, and psychological stressors of homelessness quickly took a toll, and when DOC first met her she was 16 and on suicide watch. She had been on watch for six months and had attempted to take her own life twice. For the first two months, she wouldn't even look anyone in the eye. She trusted no one. Eventually she asked to participate in one of their art classes and it changed the trajectory of her life. Her self-esteem grew as she mastered art and jewelry-making. She opened up, began to trust us, and asked for the help she needed. She left the shelter at 18 and made a living selling jewelry. She got off the streets, enrolled in college, and earned her bachelors degree with a 3.87 GPA. She is now in her second year of law school and has a full-time job as an auditor. Her goal is to become an environmental attorney and buy a house. Justine has become a powerful advocate for homeless youth and has spoken at Doors of Change events dozens of times to help increase awareness of the homeless youth issue. Since COVID 19, Doors of Change has pivoted to virtual outreach and case management and are busier than ever before. Talking Bullet Points o There are 3.5 million homeless youth in America. o Transitional Age Youth (TAY) ages 16-25 are the most undeserved of the homeless population. o 90% of Homeless TAY youth come from very dysfunctional homes. o 40% of Homeless TAY are LGBTQ (Nationally & San Diego). o Lack of Trust prevents TAY from asking for help. o Music and Art instruction builds trust months sooner than typical outreach. o Case Management gets TAY many resources including safe housing. o Mental Health referrals have increased by 105% in 1 year. o Ex Homeless Youth that become role models are now lawyers, doctors, engineers, employee of the year, and all self-sufficient. Since 2001, Doors of Change has been transforming the lives of homeless youth, one young person at a time. Originally called Photocharity, the 501(c)(3) has raised over $4.7 million. For more than 20 years we have helped place over 2,200 homeless youth in safe housing and off the streets.