In recent years, the white van with Homeless Youth Alliance's logo on the side has become a permanent fixture in the Haight. It can usually be found offering needle-exchange services at the corner of Cole and Haight, or parked along the Panhandle at night.
HYA is operating out of that van full-time now, after a 2013 eviction that required their building to be retrofitted. The eviction left HYA without a brick-and-mortar space in the Haight, and since then, they've been steadily fundraising to try to secure a location in the neighborhood they've called home for the past 12 years.
The last time we checked in with HYA, back in December, they'd had little luck securing a space. They'd applied and been turned down 33 times, and with rents soaring in the Haight in recent years, prospects were bleak. So they launched a fundraiser called Go Big Or Go Home, with the goal of raising $1 million to try to find a space. As of this writing, they've collected about $50K in donations.
Their next fundraising effort will be presented by California soul group Midtown Social, "DJ/trumpeteer" Will Magid, and fashion line Warrior Within Designs. It will take place this Saturday, July 11th (8:30pm-1am), at Treat Social Club (400 Treat Ave.).
From the event page:
"We believe that communities should come together to support members who are in need. After more than a year of the HYA being without a home themselves, we felt that it was time to lend a hand. There is so much that can be done when we band together to do it."
In addition to live music, there will be a silent auction for Academy of Sciences Nightlife tickets, acupuncture gift cards, a fashion show from Warrior Within, and a dance party, among other offerings.
Tickets must be purchased in advance; prices are tiered based on donation levels to HYA. The lowest-priced ticket is $15, while a $40 VIP option comes with "a private viewing space for the fashion show and performance, two complimentary cocktails, select hors d'oeuvres & an autographed copy of Midtown Social's debut EP, Down on 6th."
There are still tickets available, although Midtown Social warns that the $15 tickets are almost gone. For those who want to donate to HYA without attending, the Eventbrite page also offers that option.
