By: Diana Murillo
Marketing Specialist
Center for Human Services

The road to independence has not been easy for Eddy Roberson. At age 16, he was kicked out by his mother and went on to live with his grandmother in Modesto. Shortly after he turned 18, she passed away. Without close connections or any knowledge of resources available to him, he found himself on the streets. This is where a case manager from Center for Human Services’ Youth Navigation Center (YNC) met him while doing street outreach. She introduced him to services available at the YNC, where he began his journey toward self-sufficiency with the help of the Low Barrier Youth Shelter.

While staying at the Low Barrier Youth Shelter, he pursued an opportunity to work a 4-month program at Yosemite National Park. When he returned to Modesto, he found himself unhoused yet again but this time he knew he had resources and went back to the YNC for help. He found refuge at the Low Barrier Youth Shelter and soon after moved into Pathways, the YNC’s transitional housing program.

Eddy began an internship as an electrician at Attuned CommTech while staying at Pathways. His internship turned into a steady job and a promising career; another significant step in his journey towards self-sufficiency. Eddy is currently on track to move into the Pine Meadows apartments, one of the permanent housing options offered through the CHS system of care. Eddy’s path through the Youth Navigation Center is a great example of the way we move youth from
homelessness to becoming permanently housed.

“He’s definitely been that quintessential client in how he has moved through the system,” shares Becky Martinez, Housing Placement Coordinator at the YNC.

Two years ago, we opened the YNC with a goal to end youth homelessness in Stanislaus County. The positive impact the YNC has on the lives of the young adults we serve brings us closer to this goal and takes youth further along in their journey toward independence. The support Eddy received from the YNC has transformed his future. He is looking forward to spending his 20th birthday in his new apartment at Pine Meadows. Before, he couldn’t visualize what tomorrow would hold, but now, he sees a bright future ahead for himself.

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