Wind Walkers - the Nomad Project

Our Story

We are a non-profit organization working to provide mobile outreach services and education on the dangers of human trafficking and s*xual exploitation to the homeless youth and young adults of Snohomish County. Our program has no requirements for our services, we are determined to stay flexible in order to adapt to the many faces of homelessness.

Target demographic: Homeless youth ages 12-25.

Programs: Provide community resources for housing, health care, mental health, domestic violence, human trafficking and s*xual exploitation.

Background: On any given night in the United States, there are 643,047 homeless people; the National Runaway Switchboard estimates that approximately 34 percent of the homeless population are youth under age 24. * Homeless youth are at a higher risk for physical abuse, s*xual exploitation, mental illness, substance abuse and death. It is estimated that 5000 unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, illness, or su***de.**

Studies have shown that:
• In 2014, 45,205 homeless youth were unaccompanied (on their own)
• 80 % of homeless youth use substances to self-medicate in order to deal with traumatic situations
• Approximate 40 % of homeless youth identify as Le***an, Gay, Bis*xual, Transgender or Questioning (LGBTQ)
• 75 % of youth will or have already dropped out of school

*National Alliance to End Homelessness
**US Department of Housing and Development 2014 Continuum of Care