Homeless Youth Connection

What Homeless Youth Connection does

Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) is an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 that delivers wraparound support services to high school-aged youth (ages 13-21) experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County and Flagstaff. The organization is built around a school-based distribution model, partnering with 130+ high schools through McKinney-Vento liaisons who identify eligible students and connect them with HYC programming. Core services include individualized case management with dedicated youth coaches, basic needs assistance (food, clothing, hygiene, school supplies), educational resource coverage (class fees, computers, Wi-Fi), housing assistance including a Host Family Housing Program and the 20-bed Hatcher Transitional Living Program, health insurance enrollment and medical co-pay support, vital documents assistance (birth certificates, IDs), employment and career resources, and post-graduation support extending up to one year.

The underlying technology is a case management and youth tracking system used to monitor student progress and ensure continuity of services when youth relocate or disengage; the organization also maintains a dedicated Instagram channel (@HYC_students) for direct youth engagement. There are no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. HYC's revenue model is entirely philanthropic, combining individual donations (including Arizona Charitable Tax Credit-eligible monthly recurring gifts), foundation and corporate grants (notably a $600,000 multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation in 2024), event fundraising, and in-kind contributions. All services are provided at no cost to students, families, or schools.

HYC is led by CEO Dawn Bogart with Dana Bailey as Co-CEO, supported by a small professional staff of fewer than 20 supplemented by 250+ community volunteers. The organization has documented strong outcomes — 94% of participating seniors graduate versus a national average of less than 25% for homeless youth, 80% of graduates enroll in college, military, or the workforce, and more than 90% of Host Family Housing participants graduate to stable housing. It holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, Charity Navigator and GuideStar Platinum transparency ratings, and United Way affiliation.

Name

Homeless Youth Connection

Legal name

Homeless Youth Connection

Website

https://hycaz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Homeless Youth Connection is an Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides wraparound case management, housing, and basic-needs services to 700+ high school-aged youth experiencing homelessness annually across 130+ partner schools in Maricopa County and Flagstaff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG), Specialized Student Support (Foster/Homeless/Migrant/McKinney-Vento) (EDAJAIAJ), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness services
• Case management services
• Transitional housing programs
• Educational support services
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monthly recurring donations and one-time gifts from individual supporters, with options for AZ Charitable Tax Credit donations providing dollar-for-dollar state tax benefits up to $470 for individuals and $938 for joint filers in 2024
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Major grants from foundations like The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation ($600,000 over 2 years) and corporate giving programs supporting program operations, capital improvements, and specific initiatives
3. Event Fundraising: Annual events like the Holly Jolly Tamale Party ($125 per ticket), golf tournaments, and community fundraisers that generate both revenue and awareness
4. In-Kind Donations: Donations of hygiene products, school supplies, clothing (though not currently accepting clothing), and other essential items that reduce operational costs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a comprehensive wraparound services program for high school-aged youth experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County and Flagstaff, Arizona. Core services include individualized case management, basic needs assistance, educational resources, housing referrals and placements (including the Host Family Housing Program and Hatcher Transitional Living Program), health services support, employment resources, vital documents assistance, and post-graduation/aftercare support, all provided at no cost to students, families, or schools.

Product overview

Homeless Youth Connection (HYC) is a nonprofit social services organization, not a technology product company. HYC operates as a single integrated service program rather than a platform-with-modules architecture. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of coordinated services designed to eliminate barriers to high school graduation for youth experiencing homelessness, including case management, basic needs assistance, educational support, housing programs, health services, employment resources, vital documents assistance, post-graduation support, and aftercare services. These services are delivered through various programs including the core Case Management Services, Hatcher Transitional Living Program, and Host Family Housing Program, all coordinated through partnerships with over 130 high schools across Maricopa County and Flagstaff, Arizona.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Case Management Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of seniors in HYC program stay in school and complete their education
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• WaFd BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Financial literacy partnership during Financial Literacy Month with WaFd Bank volunteers Rita Kemp (Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager–Glendale) and Chelsea Seamans (Branch Manager Camelback) conducting interactive budgeting sessions and banking education for HYC youth using practical tools like jellybean budgeting games.
• Penrose AcademycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Beauty school in Scottsdale providing hygiene drives, fundraising events, and personal care donations. Their Wander + Wonder events have raised the highest donation totals in Penrose history. Many Penrose students have experienced housing instability themselves or have friends who have.
• Mike and Margaret HedrickcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term volunteers and donors who co-founded the Dorothy Fisher Scholarship Fund in honor of Margaret's mother, providing financial support for HYC youth pursuing higher education. They also organized golf tournament fundraisers and continue to mentor youth.
• SchoolHouse ConnectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit working to overcome youth and student homelessness through education, policy advocacy, and direct support. HYC references their research on college student homelessness and collaborates on advocacy efforts.
• Arizona Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency providing McKinney-Vento coordination and oversight. HYC works with school districts across Arizona to identify and serve homeless youth.
• 130+ High Schools in Maricopa County and FlagstaffflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner schools with designated McKinney-Vento liaisons who identify eligible students and connect them with HYC services. Schools include Carl Hayden Community High School and others across the region.
• Community Host FamiliescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity members who open their homes to provide spare bedrooms or lofts for unaccompanied HYC youth during the academic year, offering safe, stable, and healthy living environments.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SchoolHouse Connection: National nonprofit focused on youth and student homelessness through education, policy advocacy, and direct support. HYC explicitly partners with and references SchoolHouse Connection's research; both serve overlapping McKinney-Vento-aligned populations.
• Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development: Phoenix-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for homeless and at-risk youth. Operates in the same Maricopa County geography as HYC and serves a partially overlapping high-school-age population.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit offering housing, education, employment, and health services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 12-24. Closest functional analog to HYC in scope, even though serving a different metro.
• New Pathways for Youth: Phoenix-based nonprofit pairing at-risk youth ages 12-21 with adult mentors and providing wraparound support to promote graduation and post-secondary success. Operates in the same Maricopa County geography as HYC with overlapping high-school-age clients.
• Homebase Youth Services: Southern Arizona nonprofit serving youth experiencing homelessness, crisis, and foster care involvement with case management, housing, and education support. Comparable service model to HYC in a different Arizona geography.

Broad incumbents

• Covenant House: National nonprofit operating shelter, housing, and wraparound services for youth experiencing homelessness across 30+ cities. Broader geographic footprint than HYC but comparable service architecture (shelter, case management, education-to-employment pathways).
• National Network for Youth: National advocacy and membership organization for youth-serving agencies working with homeless and disconnected youth. Comparable population focus on youth experiencing homelessness but operates primarily as an umbrella/membership body rather than direct service provider.

Regional players

• Arizona's Children Association: Statewide Arizona nonprofit providing child welfare, foster care, and family preservation services, including programs for at-risk and homeless youth. Shares HYC's Arizona geography and youth-population focus, with broader child-welfare remit.
• Maryvale Revitalization Corporation: Phoenix/Maricopa County community-development organization addressing youth services, housing, and family stability in the West Valley. Overlaps with HYC geographically and in addressing barriers facing low-income youth, though not exclusively homelessness-focused.
• Voices for CASA Children: Arizona Court Appointed Special Advocates nonprofit advocating for foster and at-risk youth, including those experiencing housing instability. Adjacent mission overlap with HYC on youth experiencing homelessness in Arizona, with a court-advocacy rather than direct-service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hycarizona
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCymMtosOlTFthEV6qtpMPBg
• Facebookfacebook.com/HomelessYouthConnectionAZ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homeless-youth-connection
• Instagraminstagram.com/hyc_arizona/?hl=en

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Homeless Youth Connection