Click here to see Build Futures’ Wish List! Here is the Holiday Wish List.

• Orange County has the second highest per capita homelessness in the country.
• 27,871 documented homeless students attend Orange County Public Schools.
• Homeless youth ages 18 to 24 are worst hit by the recession and most overlooked by support services.
• Each night, up to 90% of the OC homeless population has no housing available to them.

A commitment to youth this age is a commitment to prevention. If left on the streets, these youth become chronically homeless, criminals, welfare mothers, prostitutes, drug addicts, alcoholics and gang members. With this model the whole community benefits.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

-  Frederick Douglass

How can you help? You can donate:

Bus passes: The Orange County bus system is the only way our youth can get around to jobs, housing and services.  A 30 day bus pass is $55; which is a big cost for our program and youth.  Ten one-day passes are $36, One seven-day $20 and One fifteen- day $35. (Can be purchased at Ralphs)

Phone and minutes: -It is important for us to be able to contact our youth to connect with jobs, housing, services and basic needs.  The best means is for them to have a cell phone.  The initial phone equipment is $30 to $50 and the monthly service is $35.  Cell phone donations are also needed.  We need used phones compatible with the Metro PCS service either from Metro PCS, or newer Verizon and Sprint phones which are also compatible with Metro PCS.

One- year of phone service and bus passes for one youth is $1,130.

Fundraising Event: With the desperate need for housing, we are in need of a group or an individual to hold a fundraising event that would raise money to provide basic needs and emergency housing to our youth.  A house with the capacity for 6 homeless youth residents would run about $4,000 a month.

 To provide housing and services for one youth is $1,000 a month, a youth can be sponsored and rent subsidized with monthly donations in increments of $1,000, $500, $250, $100 or $50 a month.

A donation of $24,000 will provide housing and services to 4 or more youth for six months or $6,000 will provide housing for 1 youth for six months.   This will allow time to help them become self sufficient by obtaining a job and enrolling in an academic or vocational program.

Cash Contributions: There is no housing available for the youth we serve.  Cash contributions allow us to subsidize rent short term and provide basic needs.  Donations in any denomination for the monthly expenses are greatly needed.

Storage: An 8’ x 10’ storage area is needed to store donations of non-perishable food and hygiene products for our youth that would be accessible to our volunteers in the Huntington Beach area.  Monthly cost: $150.00.

Contributions are also needed for birth certificates $65, CA IDs $26, educational student fees $65 and books $400, vocational training $400 + and basic needs.  Any donations are greatly needed and appreciated.

Food and Gift Cards:   Homeless youth do not have any money for food. We try to have food packs; however, food cards allow the youth to have a hot meal.   We recommend food cards from Subway, Burger King and McDonalds, etc.  in increments of $10 to $50. Wal-Mart, Target and Kohl’s, etc. cards allow the youth to purchase underwear, socks, personal items, soap, toothpaste and other necessities.

 New or used laptop computers: School and training sessions for youth and volunteers often warrant computer use. Average cost for a laptop computer: $800.00.    It also allows them to use the Internet at retailers that provide free WIFI for job search and school work.

Donate a Bike Day!:  With unemployment up to 51% for 18 to 24 year olds we have formed a used bike business, Bikes Build Futures, to employ these youth.  We would like your help to have a “Donate a Bike day” to support Orange County youth.

Lock –  Our youth need high quality locks for the bikes we provide for transportation – $20 each

Full set Professional Bike Repair Tools – $200

Metric wrenches (8mm-19mm)

- Hex (allen) wrenches (2mm – 10 mm)

- Screwdrivers (phillips and flathead)

- Pump

- Tire levers

- Cable cutters

- Headset wrenches (30/32, 40/36 mm)

- Chain tool

- Spoke wrenches (red, green, and black)

-Lock ring, bottom bracket, freewheel/cassette, and cone wrench tools

- Bicycle grease, chain lube, and other lube and degreaser

- Patch kit, new tubes (26”, 24”), and a bulk cables and housing, tires (26”, 24”)

Bike Repair Stand – $200

 Contact us for more ways to help:   Kathy@BuildFutures.org

 You may also use the donate button below to donate.

OR Make Checks payable:

Build Futures

19036 Stonehurst Lane

Huntington Beach, CA 92648