May 22, 2025
Footprints Program Helps Youth Experiencing Homelessness on a Path Toward Stability and Hope in York County
For young people experiencing homelessness, the path to stability can feel out of reach. But thanks to the Footprints Program, students in York County are getting the support they need to move forward — not just with housing, but with their education. Through a Sentara Cares grant, York County Housing Authority, in coordination with 3e Restoration and the York County School Division McKinney-Vento program, have combined efforts and expertise to move youth and young adults experiencing homelessness to permanent housing while providing case management to ensure their long-term success.
Program Overview
The program, designed for youth ages 18 to 23 experiencing homelessness, provides temporary housing, intensive case management, and wraparound support that addresses each participant’s unique needs. From helping students access medical care, counseling, and transportation to teaching budgeting and life skills, Footprints meets these youth where they are — and walks beside them as they take their next steps.
Support for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
“These students aren’t just given a place to sleep — they’re given a path forward,” said Leslie Hytonen, York County School Division’s McKinney-Vento liaison, who works to identify students, connect them to the program, and support their success. “Some of them have never had a parent figure or a support system. We help fill that gap.” Adding to this, Hytonen explained, she has seen a notable increase in unaccompanied homeless youth in York County. “More and more students are getting kicked out of their homes when they turn eighteen. Parents are saying they can’t afford to care for them anymore. We have several of these students who we are helping to make it to graduation and on the path to a successful future.”
Participants are required to attend school or work, maintain consistent attendance, and follow a contract that includes expectations like regular check-ins. Many of them are navigating significant challenges — including trauma, language barriers, domestic violence, and substance abuse — but Footprints tailors support to each situation.
Success Stories
Success stories abound. One student, a new mother, was able to transition into a new apartment after giving birth. Another student, struggling with addiction, was connected with Bacon Street Youth and Family Services for treatment. Others have received support to move out of state to reconnect with extended family, or assistance with college applications and transportation. In one case, the program helped a student who had been sleeping in a car transition into safe housing and eventually enroll in postsecondary education.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all model,” Hytonen explained. “We’ve adjusted school schedules to allow students to work part-time. We’ve walked students through how to call in sick to their first job, when needed. It’s those little things that make a big difference.”
Footprints partners meet biweekly to review students’ progress and coordinate services — from applying for benefits to obtaining birth certificates. Hytonen says the teamwork between schools, case managers, and housing providers has been critical: “Everyone stays in their lane but works closely together. That’s what makes it work.”
Now in its third year, the program has supported approximately a dozen students and is seen as a model for how communities can step up to support youth facing housing insecurity. While its future depends on continued funding, partners remain hopeful it will become a permanent part of the safety net in York County.
“People don’t always realize these needs exist right in our own neighborhoods,” Hytonen said. The Footprints program is proof that when the community responds with compassion and coordination, the stories of young people facing homelessness can be changed forever.