Park Ridge, IL — The Harbour, a social agency for homeless youth, is working to lower barriers for youth in crisis to immediately access its emergency shelter in the North and Northwest suburbs. Named "Harbour 24/7," the service uses social media access and a messaging platform to provide more immediate access to shelter and case management services for homeless youth.

"This new initiative has been developed to improve communication with young people, raise awareness among those who are homeless or in crisis and provide access to the resources at The Harbour and partner agencies in the North/Northwest Suburbs," said Kris Salyards, executive cirector, The Harbour which has headquarters in Park Ridge.

As its name suggests, Harbour 24/7 will provide an immediate response and access system to its constituent youth. A new text line has been established for their use; text "shelter" to 77948. Social media access has also established through Facebook and Instagram. "Youth experiencing acute homelessness will have immediate access to safe space and greater access to resources at The Harbour," Salyards emphasized.

The Harbour's New Youth-focused Website: Article Link Here .

"Harbour247.com has been gifted by a pro bono developer, marketing team, and designer and will provide youth in crisis with specific access to staff, services, and suburban resources to help meet immediate needs," Salyards explained. "Harbour247.com will also feature the Streetlight app, created by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, which shows real time availability of shelter beds in the area."

We have listened to the needs of our current clients at The Harbour and they have strongly recommended that the best way to reach youth in transition and crisis is through social media efforts," Salyards said.