Aruna Sunflower, a 22-year-old who experienced homelessness as a teen, is now the secretary of Backbone, a youth board that helps guide shelter policy in Salem. The board, established in 2021, is made up of young people who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity and are paid $25 an hour for their work.

Shaping Shelter Policy

Backbone has helped decide where to spend $3.57 million in federal funding for youth homelessness programs. Sunflower joined the board after seeking help from Youth Services at the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. She has helped shape sheltering for youth in the area, including the funding of David’s House, a youth shelter in Monmouth.

Sunflower has also pushed for expanding services for homeless youth beyond age 18. She suggested that programs continue to support youth until they’re 24, which is now the case in most Salem programs. The board has also asked youth shelters to keep food unlocked and available at all hours, which helps people feel safer.

Empowering Youth Voices

Backbone’s work means that programs available for youth are designed by youth rather than adults. The board informs the work of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance, which decides where to distribute state and federal money for sheltering and support services in the region. Misty Bolger, the executive director of the homeless alliance, attends every Backbone meeting and praises the board’s engagement and enthusiasm.

The youth board will help design the Point-in-Time count, which measures how many people are experiencing homelessness in the region. The group will also expand its outreach in the coming months, including returning to the Punx in the Park resource fair and music festival.

Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.