Who we are and what we do.

The Drop-In is open to youth ages 13-20, who need a safe place to hang out. The Drop-In offers creative programming, constructive activities, and leadership opportunities. Staff provides access to help with housing, employment, education or connecting with community resources.

 

We offer free food, computers with internet access, a big screen TV with VCR/DVD, help finding jobs and housing, helpful, friendly adults, and all sorts of free activities. Everything at the Drop-In Center is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. Come by and check us out!

 

Case Management

Need help making it all happen? Case managers work with youth ages 17-20 who are homeless or who face possible homelessness due to family or housing instability. They first help youth address basic needs, then help connect them with community resources to work on housing, employment, education, health, and other personal goals.

 

Street Outreach

The Street Outreach program provides homeless and high-risk youth with on-the-street support and information from trained Peer Outreach Workers (POWs). POWs, ages 15-19, have an in-depth understanding of Ozone House services and why youth may need these services.

How to become a Peer Outreach Worker.

 

Community Education

The Community Education & Outreach program provides outreach and education to middle and high schools, community organizations, civic groups, and community members. For more information, or to schedule a presentation, please contact Ravi Ramaswamy.

 

QueerZone

Fridays 6:30-8:30 pm

QueerZone is an Ypsilanti-based program that provides a safe space for LGBTQ youth to congregate, socialize, build community and access support services as needed. If you are interested in getting involved, please email Jennifer Panhorst at ozonequeerzone@gmail.com or leave a message at (734)662-2265.

 

Lyricist Lounge

An open mic night unlike any other! Join us from 6-8 pm on the first Thursday of every month to see talent from around the area. This positive, safe, and creative environment was created by teens for teens and is a great way to express yourself or brush up on your performance skills. Poetry, rap, artwork, lyrics - all are welcome.

 

Project SpeakOUT

Ozone House's Project SpeakOUT was first conceived during a discussion with several local youth poets who were worried that their peers would never have the opportunity to experience spoken word poetry as they have. Since then our focus has been to promote creative writing, community building, and expression in a safe and supportive environment for youth. Program elements of Project SpeakOUT include: Spoken Word Workshops, Lyricist Lounge, Noise Permit, Ypsilanti Area Youth Poetry Slam, and Brave New Voices.

 

It is our hope that Project SpeakOUT will be able to bring poetry to the young people of our community in order to take that creativity, energy, and talent to the larger network of youth groups and educators around the nation, while at the same time offering life-changing skills and experiences.

 

Youth Making an Impact

YMI is a youth volunteer group organized through Ozone House. We are dedicated to creating opportunities for youth to positively affect our community. We do this by getting involved in service projects and through community activism. If you are under 18 and would like to participate in a Y.M.I. volunteer event, please have your parent or guardian fill out a YMI Parent Consent Form and bring it with you on the day of the event. To get involved with YMI events, contact: Colleen O’Brien at cobrien@ozonehouse.org.

Andrew Swain,
Peer Educator

A young poet
performs at Noise Permit

Staff in Wizard of Oz costumes
at last year's Hallozone