Harbor Youth Resource Center continues to serve local youth through the Covid-19 pandemic
Lakeport, CA - As the Covid-19 pandemic reaches its eleventh month local youth are faced with virtual education and the cancellation of sports, clubs, and a myriad of social events. All of this leaves youth without the normal support and activities they are used to accessing on a regular basis. Although services and their delivery have changed, Redwood Community Services Harbor Youth Resource Center remains a vital connection point for youth in Lake County.
“Before COVID, the transition into adulthood proved to be challenging even for those with strong support systems and community connections. Now, more than ever, youth in Lake County are socially and physically isolated from their peers while many families are already financially, and resource strained. The Harbor provides youth a much-needed reprieve from some of these daily stressors. Whether it’s food, warmth, or social connections, the Harbor on Main is an essential service and resource for these young people which is why it is so important for us to remain open during these unprecedented times,” Harbor Youth Resource Center Supervisor, Kim Guerra explains.
The Harbor continues to provide services to youth through drop ins with increased safety restrictions including social distancing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and extensive cleaning and sanitization of the center. Typical meals provided at the center have moved to parking lot services and activities have moved to virtual settings. Harbor on the Road has mobilized activities and community outreach to keep youth engaged.
"It's been important for us to stay connected to help our youth feel a semblance of normalcy during a crisis such as the one the world is currently going through. Being present for our youth and helping them as they - just like us - are navigating the waters during these times, can help them feel seen and heard. I am happy to be a staff member here at the Harbor, and to be able to bring comfort and assistance to Lake County's youth in any way I can,” shares Ravon Wilczewski, Harbor Peer Support Counselor.
The Harbor is one of five community peer support centers in Lake County; however, the Harbor is the only center specifically targeted to Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) spanning 15 years of age to early adulthood (24 years). The center is designed to be a safe and fun place for youth to find supports and services to help them move from adolescence to adulthood successfully. This is done by providing social, emotional, and physical support and care. Programs provide education support, housing navigation, peer mentorship, health and well-being, employment workshops and more. Focusing on resources and services that promote opportunities to engage youth as partners provides what the center describes as real-life skills necessary to succeed as community citizens and workers.
With the impending Stay at Home Order the Harbor has been preparing for how to continue to provide services to youth while maintaining the upcoming new restrictions. "Harbor staff are preparing for the increase in shelter-in-place orders by moving most of our services to the virtual realm and setting up one-on-one appointments for those that do not have access to the internet. Staff is making sure that we cover all bases in making sure our youth know that we are here to help in any way we can, safely,” Wilczewski says.
If you are interested in more information about the Harbor Youth Resource Center, please call (707) 994-5486 to request an appointment. For up-to-date information and resources, follow the Harbor on Main Youth Resource Center on Facebook @HarborYouthResource; On Instagram and TikTok at: @Harbor_On_Main
Incorporated in 1995, Redwood Community Services provides services to children, youth, families and adults in Mendocino, Lake & Humboldt Counties. Beginning with the implementation of a Foster Family Agency in 1995 providing foster homes for children & youth in Mendocino County; Redwood Community Services has built a continuum of programs including behavioral health, crisis services, youth and adult residential, substance use disorder programs and youth resource centers. For more information about services Redwood Community Services provides please call 707-467-2000 or visit their website at www.redwoodcommunityservices.org.
Photo (Left to Right): Harbor on Main staff Isabel Rorabaugh, Ravon Wilczewski and Kim Guerra