June 2026 Newsletter

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:21:58 GMT

April 2025

From the Executive Director

Harbour Board Member Advocates for Youth Health and Community Engagement

Seeking Long-Term Solutions

“One of my ongoing challenges is figuring out how our residents can offer sustained community support instead of just a series of one‑off efforts,” Dr. Stock explains. “Health fairs and outreach events matter, but I’m always looking for ways our team can serve on a long‑term, consistent basis and weave public health into the everyday life of our surrounding neighborhoods. Our work with The Harbour is a strong step in that direction.”

Advocate residents visit the shelter every Wednesday afternoon. Newly arrived youth complete an assessment that summarizes their general health and any potential exposure to communicable diseases.

“We review the form together,” Dr. Stock explains. “For some young people, it opens the door to a longer conversation. They’re looking for someone who will really listen, and they begin to share their medical history and even the circumstances that led them to the shelter. Others limit the dialogue to the questions on the page, and that’s okay. We know this moment can be overwhelming. They’ve just arrived at The Harbour and are navigating multiple life changes. They may not be ready to trust us or any adults. We respect that vulnerability.”

Reshaping Awareness/Inspiring Activism

“ A lot of my teaching involves being a role model. My involvement and commitment to this work motivate medical residents to keep learning and serving marginalized patients. The shelter is geographically close, but most people barely know it exists. Residents tell me these visits are eye‑opening. My hope is that the care they provide leaves a mark—and that they carry this experience into their professional lives, whether through volunteering or similar service. ”

— Dr. Megan Stock, MD., M.P.H

The Harbour Board of Directors

Dr. Stock sees outreach as a core part of her Board role. “One of my biggest responsibilities is spreading the word about The Harbour’s mission,” she explains. “Once people understand what we do, they get excited and want to help. That awareness also makes us better physicians. We learn to ask about housing stability, food security, and support systems. It opens our eyes to the reality that youth homelessness is happening right here in our own community. You can look away, or you can choose to see it, ask how you can help, and make a difference—no matter how big or small.”

Physical, Mental, and Health Risks for Homeless Youth

Youth homelessness is not just a housing issue. It’s a layered health care challenge impacting nutrition, chronic disease, trauma, and access to care. These facts tell the story.

Homeless youth face high rates of malnutrition and hunger  because they lack steady access to nutritious food, which weakens immunity and harms growth and development.
Living on the streets or in crowded shelters exposes youth to infectious diseases such as flu, pneumonia, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS.
Chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and hypertension often go untreated or poorly controlled due to lack of insurance, transportation, and regular care.
In one study,  26% of young adults experiencing long‑term homelessness reported a physical health condition , compared with 16% of those with shorter episodes.
Homeless youth are far more likely to experience sexual violence and coercion  and to report pregnancy or getting someone pregnant, sometimes at rates ten times higher than housed teens.
In a Michigan study, only  37% of homeless youth had seen a doctor or nurse in the past year , compared with 76% of housed youth, underscoring major barriers to basic healthcare.
Homeless high school students are more than twice as likely as housed peers to go to school hungry; in one survey,  33% had skipped breakfast in the past week versus 14% of housed youth.

Support to The Harbour keeps young people in our community safe. We are grateful to volunteers, like Dr. Stock, and to our donors for their commitment to our youth.

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June 2026 Newsletter