Urgent: Help Us Rebuilt After Catastrophic Damage

On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, we experienced a catastrophic water leak at the Out Youth Central Drop-In Center. The leak caused significant damage, which rendered the house uninhabitable. We had to turn off the water and power to prevent further damage, but we still have a diesel-electric generator in the backyard running dehumidifiers and blower fans.

This is a devastating loss. Since 1998, tens of thousands of young people have passed through the doors of the Little Blue Bungalow into a safe space where they could find safety, growth, and support as they came of age. We are deeply heartbroken by the impact of this event on our community.

Beyond the damage to the structure, we lost youth-created art, all of our art supplies, half of our on-site library collection, and several computers. We also had to dispose of all our snacks and hygiene items because they were no longer safe for consumption or use. 

The extent of the destruction has left us unable to host in-person Drop-In meetings for Pre-Teens, Teens, and Young Adults or provide therapy services on-site. In response, we did what we always do: we prioritized getting programs and services back online as quickly as possible. In less than 24 hours, we moved our Drop-In meetings to our virtual drop-in centers and therapy sessions to our administrative offices. We also located and moved into a new Drop-In Center in South Austin on August 1st, which opens for in-person Drop-Ins on Sunday, August 18th.

Our goal now is to rebuild our Blue Bungalow, and we need your help! Your donation will be crucial in replacing lost supplies and equipment, ensuring we can set up our new center as quickly as possible while working with our insurance company to assess the full extent of the damage.

Currently, we do not have the capacity to accept in-kind donations due to storage constraints. The best way to support us right now is to donate to our Re-Building Fund. Your financial support will allow us to address our immediate needs and plan for the future.

Thank you for your continued support during this challenging time. With the support of our compassionate and resilient community, we can overcome this challenge and ensure that we continue to provide essential services to our youth.

With gratitude, 
Aubrey Wilkerson (he/him)
Executive Director
Out Youth