Behind the Door of Youth Homelessness: What We Don’t Always See
There are moments in this work when a young person begins to share their story, and it becomes clear that what brought them to Outreach is not simply about housing. What initially presents as a need for stability often reveals something much deeper, something that began long before a young person ever needed a place to stay. These stories are rarely told all at once. They unfold slowly, over time, as trust is built and relationships take shape. In those conversations, Outreach continues to see a consistent and sobering reality emerge and that is the strong connection between youth homelessness and experiences of domestic violence.
“Forty percent of our youth reported that domestic violence was a key factor in their experience of homelessness,” shared Kelsie Stringham-Marquis, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. But that number doesn’t tell the whole story. As Kelsie explains, “That forty percent… those are just the youth who felt comfortable enough to tell us.” For many young people, identifying and naming their experiences takes time. It requires a sense of safety that is often unfamiliar, as well as the presence of someone willing to listen without expectation or pressure.
Because of this, many stories come forward in fragments rather than fully formed narratives. A young person might describe a home environment that felt unstable or unsafe, or a relationship that was difficult to leave despite the harm it caused. In many cases, they are still processing what they have experienced and are not yet ready to define it. “We see youth describe their experiences… and maybe they’re not ready to identify it as domestic violence,” Kelsie shared. Outreach meets youth in that space with patience, recognizing that understanding and healing are not immediate processes. Instead of rushing to label their experiences, staff focus on creating an environment where clarity can develop over time.
As Outreach continues to listen through both everyday interactions and formal program evaluations, a clearer picture has begun to form. When youth are asked what could have prevented their experience with homelessness, their answers rarely center on finances alone. Instead, they consistently point back to the dynamics within their homes and relationships. “The vast majority of the answers… have to do with unhealthy domestic dynamics,” Kelsie said. When youth are asked what could have prevented their homelessness, they don’t talk about money first. They talk about what was happening at home.
Understanding this changes the way Outreach approaches its work. When the root of homelessness is tied to experiences of harm, instability, or broken trust, the solution cannot be limited to providing housing alone. It requires a response that is thoughtful, relational, and grounded in consistency. Outreach recognizes that stability is not only about where someone lives, but also about whether they feel safe, supported, and capable of moving forward. That kind of stability takes time to build and cannot be rushed.
This is why Outreach prioritizes presence over quick solutions. Staff walk alongside youth at a pace that respects where they are, whether they are ready to share their experiences or are still working to understand them. Some young people are able to clearly name what they have gone through, while others are only beginning to recognize patterns in their lives. Both experiences are valid, and both require care. The role of Outreach is to remain beside them, offering steady support as they navigate their own journey.
Recognizing the overlap between domestic violence and homelessness has also led Outreach to strengthen its partnerships within the community. “We’re building collaborative relationships… because there’s a pretty big overlap between domestic violence and youth homelessness,” Kelsie explained. By working closely with domestic violence providers across Indianapolis, Outreach is able to connect youth with specialized resources while also contributing its expertise in supporting young people through complex life transitions. These partnerships allow for a more comprehensive response, one that acknowledges the full scope of what youth may be experiencing.
There is no single moment when everything changes for a young person. Progress is often gradual, marked by small but meaningful steps that may not always be visible from the outside. A young person may begin to trust someone for the first time, open up about their experiences, or start to imagine a future that feels different from their past. These moments are not always dramatic, but they are significant. They represent movement, growth, and the possibility of something new.
Homelessness is often the most visible part of a young person’s story, but it is rarely the whole story. At Outreach, the commitment is to look beyond what can be seen and to understand what lies beneath it. By doing so, they are able to respond not only to immediate needs, but also to the deeper realities that shape a young person’s life. This approach requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to sit in the complexity of each individual story.
When the full story begins to come into focus, it becomes clear that meaningful change requires more than a single solution. It requires relationships, community, and a steady presence that reminds young people they are not alone. If you want to learn more about how you can be a part of the impact, head to our website.
