Resources for homeless youth in Philadelphia
The needs of homeless and runaway youth in Philadelphia exceed the ability of the city to meet them. These programs provide support services and basic necessities.
This list can also be printed (6 pages) for distribution to those who might need it.
Sleeping
- Covenant House
- Address: 31 E. Armat Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
- Phone: (215) 951-5411 or (888) 829-1249
- Website: www.covenanthousepa.org
Offers emergency shelter for youth 18 to 21 years old. Services include an on-site health clinic, case management and education and vocational services. Walk-ins accepted. No ID required. Open 24/7.
- Pathways PA
- Address: 5013 Hazel Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143.
- Phone: 215-397-4287
- Website: www.pathwayspa.org/index.php/programs/residential-programs
Offers emergency shelter for girls 13 to 17 years old. Drop-in lounge for girls open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- PEC/Gloria’s Place
- Address: 3902 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- Phone: 267-777-5867
- Website: www.pec-cares.org/index.php?page=emergency_housing
Offers emergency shelter for women 18+ years old who are pregnant or with children; youth referred by DHS. Services include food, clothing, healthcare, school supplies, books, play spaces for kids, library and computer lab. ID, social security card and birth certificate required. Open 24/7.
- Youth Emergency Service (YES)
- Address: 1526 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130.
- Phone: 215-787-0633
- Website: www.ysiphila.org
Offers emergency shelter for youth 12 to 17 years old for up to 21 days. Services include crisis management, family mediation, referral services, medical care on Mondays, counseling on Tuesdays, food and clothing. Walk-ins accepted. No ID required. Youth are required to fill out paperwork for services and parents are notified within 72 hours of arrival. Open 24/7.
Healthcare
- Mazzoni Center
- Hours: Wednesdays 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Address: 809 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
- Website: mazzonicenter.org/programs/medical-care
An LGBT-focused drop-in clinic for youth 14 to 24 years old that offers free medical care, family planning services, HIV testing and counseling, food, subway tokens, hygiene kits, assistance with benefit applications and housing, mental health, education and job referrals. Clinic offers PrEP, a pill taken once a day that in 90 percent of cases will prevent you from becoming HIV+. No ID required but youth are required to fill out paperwork and consent forms to access medical care. Physicals, primary care and trans care require parental consent. Family planning services do not require parental permission.
- Planned Parenthood Health Clinic
- Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Fridays 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Address: 1144 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
- Phone: 215-351-5560
- Website: www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/pennsylvania/philadelphia/19107/locust-street-health-center-3361-91460
Offers free services (for youth under 18) including birth control, family planning services, pregnancy tests, HIV and STD testing. Parental permission not required to receive services.
- Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP)
- Hours and locations for medical clinics: Wednesdays 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 2913-15 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134; Thursdays 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at N. 11th Street & W. Indiana Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19133. Hours and locations for syringe exchange: Mondays and Tuesdays 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at 2913 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134; Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 13th & Washington Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147; Thursdays 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at N. 11th Street & W. Indiana Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19133; Fridays 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at 2913 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134; Saturdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. at 3rd & Girard (Health Center #6), Philadelphia, PA 19123, and 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 10th & Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
- Phone: 215-634-5272
- Website: ppponline.org/
Runs a needle exchange program that offers safer sex and injection supplies, on-site medical services, confidential HIV testing & counseling, Hepatitis C screenings, opiate overdose prevention trainings with naloxone distribution, suboxone program and case management for youth 18+ years old. No ID required.
- 24-Hour Hotline: 1-866-509-SAFE (7233)
- Website: projectsafephilly.org/about/services-we-provide/
Project SAFE
An outreach and delivery program for women and girls on the street that offers safer sex supplies and harm reduction supplies; distributes advisories about men who have recently raped or attacked women; transports women who have been raped or attacked to the hospital and assists them with filing police reports. No ID required.
- Stephen Klein Wellness Center
- Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays until 7 p.m.
- Address: 2144 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121.
- Phone: 215-320-6187
- Website: projecthome.org/skwc
Offers primary medical care, psychiatric services, nurse care management, counseling, on-site legal counseling and assistance with applying for health insurance benefits. No ID required. Parental permission required if issue is unrelated to pregnancy or STD.
- Hours: Mondays 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (dial 302 on the call box to be buzzed in for the Health Center).
- Address: 1417 Locust Street, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- Phone: 215-344-1632 ext. 358
- Website: www.y-hep.org/health-center/
Youth Health Empowerment Project (Y-HEP)
Health center for youth 13 to 24 years old that offers primary care (including vaccines), HIV testing, STI testing and treatment, pelvic and breast exams, PAPs, birth control, pregnancy testing, HPV screening and emergency contraceptive (the morning-after pill). Clinic also offers PrEP, a pill taken once a day that in 90 percent of cases will prevent you from becoming HIV+. No appointment, insurance, or ID required. Youth are expected to complete an intake packet during their first visit.
Drop-in centers
- Hours: Mondays-Thursdays 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Address: 1415 North Broad Street, Suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
- Phone: 215-574-9194
- Website: valleyyouthhouse.org
Achieving Independence Center (AIC)
A communal space for DHS/foster care youth 14 to 21 years old. Offers coaching and help with education, employment, computer literacy, housing and life skills. Only youth in DHS care or foster care placement on or after their 14th birthday are eligible for services. No ID required. Youth must complete paperwork for services.
- Hours: Mondays-Tuesdays 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Wednesdays-Fridays 3 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Address: 255 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- Phone: 215-545-4331
- Website: www.atticyouthcenter.org/
Attic Youth Center
Drop-in center for LGBT youth 14 to 23 years old. Services offered include food and subway tokens, support groups (transgender group, relationship group), activity groups (career readiness, academic enrichment, arts and culture, youth leadership, health and wellness), job and internship opportunities, case management (for housing and medical care), free and confidential HIV testing and safer sex supplies. No ID required.
- Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Tuesdays 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Address: 5100 & 5101 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139.
- Phone: 215-301-3273
- Website: www.eddieshouse.org/
Eddie’s House
Offers access to phones, computers, printers, faxes and mail for youth 18 to 25 years old. Provides food, clothes, book bags, school supplies, toiletries, support groups, tutors and meals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. No ID required.
- Hours: Tuesdays 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Address: 2913 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134.
- Website: ppponline.org/calendar/drop-center
Project SAFE /Prevention Point Philadelphia
Offers safe space, food, harm reduction supplies, showers and laundry for women and girls. No ID required.
- Hours: Mondays from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Tuesdays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Wednesdays 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Fridays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dial 301 on the call box to be buzzed in for the Drop-In Center.
- Address: 1417 Locust Street, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- Phone: 215-564-6388
- Website: www.y-hep.org/programs-and-services/empowerment-center/
Youth Health Empowerment Project (Y-HEP)
A drop-in center for youth 13 to 24 years old. Offers a safe space and 1 to 2 meals per day, shower access, laundry services, personal care items (socks, underwear, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, tampons, maxi pads, deodorant, etc.), clothing, emergency food cupboard, safer sex supplies and subway tokens. Activities offered include art therapy, trans support groups, music exercises job search classes, educational workshops and various types of support and discussion groups. No ID required. Youth are expected to complete an intake packet at their first visit.
Food
- Hours: Monday-Friday at 5:15 p.m.
- Address: 255 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- Phone: 215-545-4331
- Website: www.atticyouthcenter.org/
Attic Youth Center
Serves snacks and dinner for LGBT youth 14 to 23 years old.
- Hours for mail pick-up: Mondays 8 - 11 a.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Thursdays 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Fridays 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Meal hours: Mondays 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.; Saturdays 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
- Social services hours: Mondays 8 – 11 a.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursdays 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Fridays 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Saturdays 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Address: 315 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
- Phone: 215-735-4847
- Website: www.broadstreetministry.org/
Broad Street Ministry
Services include all meals, laundry, personal care items and mail services. No ID required.
- Hours: Mondays-Fridays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Address: 1801 West Diamond Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121.
- Phone: 215-978-8000 or 215-236-0568
- Website: www.churchoftheadvocate.org/the-advocate-cafe.html
Church of the Advocate
Services include lunch and clothing distribution.
- Services include food pantry and dinner on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for youth 18 to 25 years old.
- Address: 5100 & 5101 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139.
- Phone: 215-301-3273
- Website: www.eddieshouse.org/home.html
Eddie’s House
- Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.; Mondays-Thursdays 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Fridays-Sundays 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Address: 2441 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125.
- Phone: 215-423-5845
- Website: stfrancisinn.org/ministries/st-francis-inn/
St. Francis Inn
Serves breakfast and dinner.
- Hours: Tuesdays-Fridays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Address: 2858 Kensington Avenue (one block north of Somerset), Philadelphia, PA 19134.
- Phone: 215-739-1137
- Website: stfrancisinn.org/ministries/thea-bowman-womens-center/
Thea Bowman Women’s Center
Services include meals (breakfast and lunch), showers and laundry (Wednesdays and Fridays) and support groups for women (on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.).
- Meal hours and locations: Sundays 6 p.m. at 215 South 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Mondays 6 p.m. at 38th & Chestnut (St. Agatha-St. James), Philadelphia, PA 19104; Wednesdays 6 p.m. at 38th & Chestnut (St. Agatha-St. James), Philadelphia, PA 19104; Thursdays 6 p.m. at 3916 Locust Walk (St. Mary's Church), Philadelphia, PA 19104; Fridays 6 p.m. at 42nd and Pine Streets (Woodland Presbyterian Church), Philadelphia, PA 19104; Saturdays 12 p.m. at 3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- Address: PMB 410, 3720 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- Phone: 610-203-4538
- Website: uchc.phillycharities.org/
University City Hospitality Coalition
Services include meals, medical, dental and legal clinics on Wednesday evenings; clothing and toiletries and mail pick-up for youth.
Computer access
- Address: 255 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- Phone: 215-545-4331
- Website: www.atticyouthcenter.org/
Attic Youth Center
Offers access to computers, printers and wifi for LGBT youth 14 to 23 years old.
- Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturdays 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Address: 5100 & 5101 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139.
- Phone: 215-301-3273
- Website: www.eddieshouse.org/home.html
Eddie’s House
Offers computer access, multimedia lab (music, movies and website development) and computer basics training for youth 18 to 25 years old. No ID required.
- Hours: Mondays 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Tuesdays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesdays 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Fridays 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Address: 1417 Locust Street, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102 (dial 301 on the call box to be buzzed in for the computer lab).
- Phone: 215-564-6388
- Website: www.y-hep.org/
Youth Health Empowerment Project (Y-HEP)
Runs a computer lab for youth 13 to 24 years old.
legal services
- Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (some services are restricted to special hours; call for more information).
- Address: 1424 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102; 1410 W. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140.
- Phone: 215-981-3700
- Website: www.clsphila.org
Community Legal Services
Provides free legal services to low income people, including youth, related to issues of employment, expungement of criminal records, SSI disability, food stamps, medical assistance, utility shut-offs, eviction and defense against illegal debt collection. No ID required.
- Address: 1315 Walnut Street, 4th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
- Phone: 215-238-6970
- Website: www.elc-pa.org
Education Law Center
Provides free legal services, advocacy, consultations and advice to ensure access to school for homeless youth.
- Phone: 215-523-9595 or 1-800-837-2672 for an appointment.
- Website: homelessadvocacyproject.org/legal-clinic-schedule.php
Homeless Advocacy Project
Provides free legal aid, advice & referrals for services, and on-going representation & advocacy for homeless individuals on different dates at local shelters. Walk-ins accepted at scheduled hours.
- Phone: 215-563-0657 or 1-866-LGBT-LAW; 215-563-0652.
- Hours: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Address: 21 S 12th Street, 12th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
- Website: mazzonicenter.org/legal-services
Mazzoni Center
Provides free legal assistance for low-income LGBT individuals. Call to schedule an appointment. No ID required.
- Hours: Walk-ins accepted on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Telephone intake hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. For the Family Law intake line, call 215-981-3838 on Monday or Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- Address: The Cast Iron Building, 718 Arch Street, Suite 300N, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
- Phone: 215-981-3800
- Website: philalegal.org/
Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Provides free legal services to low-income individuals. For legal problems related to custody, support or protection from abuse, there are no walk-ins; instead, call the Family Law intake line. Non-U.S. citizens should bring their legal permanent resident card or other documentation of immigration status.
Domestic Violence/Abuse
- Address: 100 S Broad Street, Suite 1341, Philadelphia, PA 19110.
- Phone: 1-866-723-3014
- Website: www.womenagainstabuse.org/services
Women Against Abuse
Offers emergency safe havens, transitional housing, community-based support services, trauma-informed behavioral health care, legal representation, hotline counseling and advocacy for victims of domestic violence. Counselors can provide safety planning and crisis intervention without ID or parental permission.
- Address: 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
- Phone: 215-985-3333 (24-Hour Crisis Hotline)
- Website: www.woar.org
Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR)
Services for sexual assault victims include advocacy, free counseling and education.
Art and education programs
- Hours: Mondays-Thursdays 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Address: 1415 North Broad Street, Suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
- Phone: 215-574-9194
- Website: www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/life-skills-development/achieving-independence-center-aic/
Achieving Independence Center (AIC)
Offers GED and high school coaching, assistance enrolling in college or vocational school, computer literacy, employment/career planning and housing services for current and former DHS or foster care youth 14 to 21 years old. Only youth in DHS care or foster care on or after their 14th birthday are eligible. No ID required. Youth must complete paperwork for services.
- Address: 255 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- Phone: 215-545-4331
- Website: www.atticyouthcenter.org
Attic Youth Center
Offers dance, theater, screen-printing, mural arts and poetry groups for LGBTQ youth 14 to 23 years old. Also offers paid internships, academic enrichment groups (writing, poetry, history, etc.), tutoring and homework assistance, resumé development, mentoring help with high school completion, college enrollment, scholarship applications and career planning.
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Address: 1936 N. Judson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121.
- Phone: 215-235-2900
- Website: projecthome.org/locations/honickman-learning-center-and-comcast-technology-labs
Honickman Learning Center
Offers adult education classes, G.E.D. prep, financial aid assistance, college entrance prep and tutoring services. No ID required.
- Address: 4225 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Phone: 215-386-1298 ext. 288
- Website: www.ifsinc.org/
Intercultural Family Services, Inc
Offers internships as well as violin, piano, guitar, vocal arts, hip-hop dance, martial arts, sewing and African drumming classes.
- Address: 2141 North Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
- Phone: 610-745-1952
- Website: icfamwell.org/content/our-local-work-current-programming
La Puerta Abierta/The Open Door
Offers free visual arts and storytelling workshops, gardening programs and mentorship for newly arrived uninsured immigrant youth. All services provided in Spanish. Children younger than 14 must have parental permission to receive services.
- Address: 1727-29 Mount Vernon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130.
- Phone: 215-685-0750
- Website: www.muralarts.org
Mural Arts
Offers free year-round art instruction for youth 10 to 22 years old (introductory, intermediate and advanced levels) as well as summertime jobs and internships.
- Address: Gladfelter Hall, 4th floor, 1115 West Berks Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
- Phone: 215-204-6276
- Internships: Apply at
- Website: whatspoppyn.blogspot.it/
POPPYN
Offers internships at a youth-produced news show that covers issues and initiatives that affect young people in Philly. POPPYN broadcasts on the local public access channel, and in high school and college classrooms. Based at the University Community Collaborative at Temple University.
Current as of December 2015.