Local nonprofit works to help prevent homelessness among teens and young adults

A local organization is launching a new initiative to prevent homelessness in Central Florida.

The Homeless Services Network created the “Brighter Days Community Initiative” for teens and young adults.

It will provide stable housing and support services such as education, job training and health care.

Read: Homeless men sue Seminole County, call anti-panhandling law unconstitutional

Officials said the initiative would keep youth ages 16 to 24 off the streets for more than a year.

“This new initiative would have helped me greatly. It would have helped me not have to live in my car for six years because I would have had a young navigator as soon as I called the phone,” Elisa Cabrera said.

Read: 'It's tragic': Central Florida's homeless population more than doubles, survey finds

The organization says there are a total of 16,000 homeless students in Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties.

However, currently the network only has housing for 250 adolescents and young adults.

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