![\"usa1web\"](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/usa1web.jpg\")
<\/a>USA began as a program out of Mission Gathering Christian Church in 2008 and was refashioned into its own nonprofit just this year. The agenda of the nonprofit is simple: bring hot meals and goods like shoes and blankets to homeless youth six to eight times a month. And, when the recipients are ready to receive additional help getting off the street, USA will provide them with resources and a guide on how to do that.<\/p>\n
USA helped eight homeless youths \u2014 or \u201cangels\u201d as they like to call them \u2014 off the streets in 2014 alone, according to executive director Eric Lovett. Lovett said USA was able to help those angels by visiting them each week and building those relationships.<\/p>\n \u201cOur goal is that this number can grow much more,\u201d Lovett said. \u201cIt\u2019s important to have USA out there on a consistent basis in order to build that trust that has been broken in their lives. Then, one day when they are ready, we can help them make that step out of homelessness.\u201d<\/p>\n Lovett said, from his experience, North Park, Downtown and Ocean Beach seem to have the most homeless young people.<\/p>\n Miriam Marquez, a North Park resident who has volunteered with USA since its creation in 2009, knows first-hand how important the group\u2019s frequent visits are.<\/p>\n She recalls a story of meeting a 20-year-old named Nick. Nick ultimately confided in her after seeing Marquez and other volunteers each week.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was abused by his parents and was kicked out of his home when he was 16 because he was gay,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cHe had diabetes and struggled to get his medication. He wanted to get off the streets but it was the only thing he knew for so long. He was scared.\u201d<\/p>\n Nick is now in a sober living facility.<\/p>\n But Nick\u2019s story is just one of many, Marquez said.<\/p>\n More than 8,500 homeless people live in San Diego County, according to the Regional Task Force on the Homeless. Of that number, about 5 percent are ages 18-24 and 12 percent are ages 25-34.<\/p>\n Marquez said she became a volunteer because she saw the need of an organization like USA.<\/p>\n \u201cWe give out without expecting anything in return,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cWe just give out help and if they are ready for more, then we give it. We don\u2019t just give and go too. We hang out and build relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n Marquez said homeless young people are often misjudged.<\/p>\n \u201cI think society thinks it\u2019s so easy to get a job and get off the streets, especially because they are young,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cBut they are human too. We just don\u2019t know how much they\u2019ve suffered unless we listen to their stories.\u201d<\/p>\n Lovett said the nonprofit, which is headquartered at 3090 Polk Ave., is attempting to serve more meals during the holidays as well as distribute sleeping bags to the homeless. He also hopes to be able to hire formerly homeless staffers next year.
\nFor more information about USA or the North Park Christmas event, visit urbanstreetangels.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n