Larkin Street Youth Services Selected by Citi Foundation's Community Progress Makers Fund Grant Program to Accelerate Economic Opportunity

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Larkin Street announced today that it has been selected as a recipient of the Community Progress Makers Fund, a $20 million grant initiative to support 40 visionary nonprofit organizations in their efforts to establish new approaches to long-standing urban economic challenges in the United States – including economic development, environment sustainability, urban infrastructure, and affordable housing.

As part of the program, Larkin Street Youth Services will receive a core operating support grant of $500,000 over the course of two years to continue its work in the community around ending youth homelessness. This new injection of funds will help bolster existing initiatives while opening up the door to expanded efforts that will move the needle for homeless youth in San Francisco, across the state, and nationally. In addition to the grant, Larkin Street will also have access to technical assistance from leading national researchers and experts and will be provided opportunities to connect with other grantees to share and learn best practices.

"Larkin Street is honored to be among the high-caliber Community Progress Makers selected from across the United States" said Sherilyn Adams, Executive Director of Larkin Street Youth Services. "This national recognition and the opportunities it will afford us will help shine a spotlight on the often hidden issue of youth homelessness. The barriers that young people, who are homeless, disconnected, and most at-risk, face are unique. Effective programs must address the intersection of housing, education, employment, and wellness in order to create permanent and sustainable pathways off the streets and into successful, independent adulthood. We are grateful for this opportunity and commend Citi Foundation for its commitment and recognition of programs like Larkin Street, who are solving the youth homelessness crisis on the front lines."

"The Citi Foundation feels privileged to support organizations that have demonstrated such strong commitments to their local communities and a willingness to share their experiences with others for the betterment of their neighborhoods," said Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation. "These organizations have a track record of implementing solutions that work for their communities because they know the people there, understand what resources to tap and, most importantly, feel deeply invested in the places where they live and work. We believe that's the key to leading urban transformation efforts in San Francisco and elsewhere across the country."

The Community Progress Makers Fund builds upon the Citi Foundation's commitment to identify and support innovative solutions and organizations that are helping build stronger, more resilient cities that are engines of economic opportunity for all. The flexibility of core operating support will allow organizations and their visionary leaders to deploy solutions that address a range of issues.

About Larkin Street
Larkin Street Youth Services is the leading nonprofit in San Francisco empowering homeless and at-risk youth to get off the street by offering them confidence, skills, opportunities, and hope. Since 1984, Larkin Street has reached over 75,000 vulnerable young people, continuing to expand an innovative and award-winning model of housing, education, employment, and health services across San Francisco. Three out of four youth who complete the full range of programs at Larkin Street successfully exit street life.

For more information, please visit www.larkinstreetyouth.org.
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About the Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.