People are always saying: ‘They’ll take care of it. The government’ll–Don’t worry, they’ll–‘ ‘They’ who? It starts with us. It’s us. Or else it’ll never be done…
- Michael Jackson
Another Avenue (formerly It Starts With Us) is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 public charity, and youth advocacy organization. We work with at-risk youth and young adults from 15 years old through 21 years old who are or have aged out of the foster care system, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Another Avenue specifically seeks resources and opportunities for this population to help them gain new skills and form alliances and social connections with appropriate mentors within the extended community. By providing the means (whether it be transportation, legal aid, transitional housing, special training and apprenticeships, marketing of their skills and products, dental and health care, clothing, tuition, supplies, etc.) for these young provides a springboard to launch their emergence as contributing members of society providing them with another avenue in life.
Another Avenue supports the whole person and operates from the premise that with proper relationships and support, all youth can find the self-caring and self-discipline to turn toward an inner purpose and become constructive members of society. From that turning within will come the self-motivation to become a life long learner and undertake other learning challenges previously dismissed as unobtainable or undesirable. The real work then involves hanging in with these youth, teaching them, exposing them to the right experiences, guiding them, and tapping into the creative reservoir they all carry to find the meaningful life they are meant to live.
Another Avenue specifically seeks resources and opportunities for this population to help them gain new skills and form alliances and social connections with appropriate mentors within the extended community. By providing the means (whether it be transportation, legal aid, transitional housing, special training and apprenticeships, marketing of their skills and products, dental and health care, clothing, tuition, supplies, etc.) for these young provides a springboard to launch their emergence as contributing members of society providing them with another avenue in life.
Another Avenue supports the whole person and operates from the premise that with proper relationships and support, all youth can find the self-caring and self-discipline to turn toward an inner purpose and become constructive members of society. From that turning within will come the self-motivation to become a life long learner and undertake other learning challenges previously dismissed as unobtainable or undesirable. The real work then involves hanging in with these youth, teaching them, exposing them to the right experiences, guiding them, and tapping into the creative reservoir they all carry to find the meaningful life they are meant to live.
Services
Case ManagementAnother Avenue case managers works with youth to develop individualized plans that address short and long term goals towards stability. This includes connections to available housing, applying for identification documents and/or health benefits, receiving parent and prenatal care, family reunification, and connections to drug rehabilitation, mental health services and employment support.
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Legal Document PreparationAnother Avenue offers low cost and probono legal document preparation services for many areas of law. Some of the document services we provide are transgender name/gender change documents, domestic violence restraining orders, contesting an eviction, and more. We are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, but we can prepare, file, and serve legal documents at your specific direction.
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Street OutreachFive times a week, Another Avenue's outreach team connects with youth who are experiencing homelessness in Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, and Nipomo. We build meaningful relationships and trust while providing street-based engagement and survival resources. Outreach staff and trained volunteers offer snacks, hygiene packs, socks, and linkages to emergency shelter, mental health and medical care, and other on-site services provided by Another Avenue.
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Another Avenue also offers free birth certificates, identification cards, and other supportive services that may not be listed on our website. Whatever your need may be, call us. If we cannot help you, we will find someone who can.
(805) 779-1022 or email help@anotheravenue.org
(805) 779-1022 or email help@anotheravenue.org
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ContributeContribute to Another Avenue with monetary donations, in kind donations, or volunteering. Your support will positively impact the lives of our at-risk youth. Together, we can change lives.
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Get In Touch
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Another Avenue
630 West Tefft St., Unit 1732 Nipomo, CA 93444 (805) 779-1022 
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