Pendleton Place: JR’s Story

Collaboration

The number of unaccompanied youth and young adults (up to age 24) in the United States experiencing one or more episodes of homelessness each year is staggering. Estimates exceed 700,000 and many find themselves sleeping outside or in a car. Studies reveal a strong correlation between youth homelessness and the likelihood of chronic homelessness as an adult.  

JR represents one of hundreds of youth in Greenville without a place to call home. 

“What am I going to eat? Where am I going to sleep? Do I have people that care about me?” were all daunting questions JR frequently asked himself. 

JR reached out to Pendleton Place, a youth services provider in Greenville offering the only emergency homeless shelter for youth ages 12-21 in Greenville.   

“When I first met JR, he was lost and looking for hope,” explains Jill, a Youth Engagement Coordinator at Pendleton Place. 

Pendleton Place accepted JR into their program and provided food, clothing, a warm shower, and a bed. He received access to mental health counseling and job placement services.  Pendleton Place connected JR with the Greater Greenville Mental Health Center, helping him cope with dilemmas, process and overcome traumatic experiences, and navigate resulting mental health concerns. 

Pendleton Place also referred JR to Gateway, an organization offering mental health resources to its members by providing a Clubhouse model of rehabilitation that focuses on relationship and skill development.  

“JR’s story is a testament to collaboration,” explains Jill. 

Collaboration with partner organizations is at the core of how the Greenville Homeless Alliance (GHA) works to eliminate the drivers that cause homelessness. Pendleton Place, The Greater Greenville Mental Health Center, and Gateway are strategic partners with the Greenville Homeless Alliance (GHA). GHA’s goal is to end homelessness for all, including youth like JR. Specifically, Pendleton Place exists to help children and rebuild families. Pendleton Place has served more than 140 different youth in 2023.