The HYPE CenterOverview
The Helping Young People to Elevate Center (The HYPE Center) is piloting a youth-centered program to protect vulnerable San Francisco youth from sexual exploitation. The pilot program’s comprehensive strategy includes both immediate interventions for CSEC and long-term prevention efforts. The HYPE Center aims to accomplish these goals by investing in a place-based network of partners that will provide vulnerable youth with direct services, including access to specialized mental health professionals to address their complex trauma and legal advocacy to navigate the juvenile justice system. Additionally, The HYPE Center plans to disseminate safety information online to combat those who use social media to recruit and groom youth for exploitation. The pilot will also engage local business leaders and entrepreneurs to provide workforce opportunities for youth, and strengthen connections with local government officials to influence policies and resources that combat CSEC. The Hellman Collaborative Change Initiative LAUNCH grant will enable The HYPE Center to serve at least 510 San Francisco youth (ages 14-24) who are experiencing or are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. The Collaboration
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The Problem
San Francisco youth—particularly females, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals—face systemic challenges that make them more vulnerable to sex trafficking and exploitation. Data from the California Department of Social Services reveals a stark reality: 50-80% of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) have backgrounds in the foster care or child welfare system. The 2022 San Francisco Youth Homeless Count and Survey highlighted that 84% of homeless youth are unsheltered or unstably housed, with 38% identifying as LGBTQIA+ and 29% with experiences in foster care. A 2021 report from San Francisco's anti-human trafficking task force found that nearly 50% of trafficking victims are minors, with over 90% of trafficking cases involving sexual exploitation, mainly impacting individuals under 25 years old. Surveys conducted by the HYPE Center’s Youth Founding Team identified critical needs among youth, including financial stability, hygiene, food, and housing, alongside a strong desire for therapy, educational workshops, and peer support services. "Through our partnership and collaboration, we are breaking barriers, building a sense of community, and empowering vulnerable youth across the Bay Area by meeting their needs with dignity and without limitation. Through collaboration and innovation, Hype Center has truly transformed from a local resource into a cornerstone of holistic support—addressing social, emotional, and physical well-being while strengthening networks to ensure no one falls through the cracks." - Victory Askew, C-Change Assistant Program Director, WestCoast Children's Clinic
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