reStart Youth  Network (RYN)

The reStart Youth Network (RYN) is a two-part program for runaway and homeless youth including street outreach and the only youth emergency shelter in the urban core of Kansas City, MO.  A partner program which began in 2001, Arts for Children and Youth, exposes youth to arts and culture, encouraging them to express themselves positively, enhancing their academic experience, and providing them with opportunities to experience cultural and career options.

reStart Inc - Youth Shelter - YOUTH HOTLINE: 816-309-9048

Damon was a youth abandoned by his parents at age 17 who spent months “couch surfing” and living in a hotel ballroom where a friend worked and was able to sneak him in. Damon was eventually caught and arrested. Throughout this time he remained active in his high school, serving as student council president and section leader in the choir. With help from teachers, Damon was referred to reStart’s Youth Emergency Shelter and was able to continue going to school and his part-time job. Damon is now a freshman at a Missouri College.

YOUTH EMERGENCY SHELTER SUPPORTS HOMELESS BOYS … AND GIRLS

The “new and improved” Youth Emergency Shelter is up and running! We have a co-ed dormitory that houses four female youth and six male youth. Thanks to many generous
donors, we are able to furnish our new space!

One youth wrote this about his stay at reStart:

"I am here to get services to obtain a place a better lifestyle for myself and get a place to stay. To obtain visits with my doctors and keep on medications. I want to obtain some sort of education, get independent living. I can follow through with what I am supposed to do and how I am supposed to do it then I will become successful and I will never have to come back."