Dream Center Recognized Statewide for Impact on Youth Homelessness

A new statewide report released by John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is shining a spotlight on Kern County’s efforts to support young people experiencing homelessness — and recognizing one local organization as a model for the state.

The report, Investing in Impact: How State Investment Reduced Youth Homelessness in California, was published this month as communities across the state observe Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. The statewide analysis highlights just seven programs making measurable progress in reducing youth homelessness, including the Kern County Network for Children’s Dream Center, the only youth-dedicated drop-in space in Kern County. 

For Kern County, the recognition is significant. Before the launch of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, no funding existed locally for young people experiencing homelessness who were not connected to foster care. That changed in 2020 when the City of Bakersfield and Kern County invested HHAP youth set-aside funds to expand the Dream Center’s services. JBAY’s report highlights Kern as a community that used those dollars to build a coordinated, youth-centered response — and achieved clear results. 

According to the statewide findings, 201 youth have received case management services, and 339 of 395 youth reached through outreach exited into safe and stable housing — an 86% success rate. 

The Dream Center’s comprehensive, “one-door” model co-locates mental health services, employment support, substance use treatment, child welfare access, probation services, and independent living skills in a single youth-friendly space. 

Bryanna Wood, a Prevention Specialist at the Dream Center, says that the center’s strength lies in its emphasis on trust, skill-building, and long-term stability. 

“We stress self-sufficiency and help youth set incremental goals,” Wood said. “It’s so important for us to focus on skill-building so that when they encounter an obstacle, they don’t have to fall back on homeless services.” 

The report also warns of a critical funding gap ahead. With HHAP currently absent from the state budget, youth programs across California — including those highlighted by JBAY — face an uncertain future. For Kern County, the impact could be especially severe. 

“We’re the only youth-specific drop-in space in the county,” Wood noted. “Losing HHAP would be such a detriment. It would mean youth would have no choice but to resort to accessing services through the adult system.”