11/26/2024 BRIDGE COALITION MEETING NOTES

Meeting Notes: Bridge Coalition Meeting on November 26^th

Opening Comments (Jim): 

• Chat Introductions were done,
• A broad overview of NorthStar Advocates Mission and purpose was discussed,
• Focusing on return to community: safe housing, relationships, and supporting young adults facing unaccompanied homelessness interests and passions.

The Bridge Scope and Vision (Vy): 

• High rate of return to homelessness for young people exiting inpatient care,
• Cross-system information sharing and training,
• Developing Return To Community Plan,
• Developing opportunities for systems reform.

Guest Speaker and Presenter: Luke Wall, Executive Director, Only7Seconds

The November Bridge Coalition meeting welcomed Luke Wall, Executive Director of Only7Seconds, as the guest speaker. Luke is a dedicated advocate tackling the growing youth loneliness epidemic in America. With over five years of experience in the field, Luke has delivered more than 500 talks on loneliness, social health, and youth well-being. Under his leadership, Only7Seconds has evolved into a national organization that reaches tens of thousands of young people annually through various engagement, education, and empowerment initiatives. His presentation focused on the impact of loneliness on young adults and offered both personal and professional insights into how these issues manifest and what can be done to mitigate their effects.

Luke began his presentation by emphasizing the profound importance of human connection, sharing a deeply personal story about his younger brother. His brother, a high school athlete and social “superstar” from a small rural community, suddenly faced isolation after a medical condition required him to spend five weeks in bed. Despite his popularity, no one in his peer group reached out to check on him. Luke highlighted how this lack of social connection during a challenging time had a lasting impact on his brother’s mental and emotional well-being, which served as an entry point into discussing the broader epidemic of loneliness affecting young people across the nation. Luke’s mother, who was deeply frustrated by her son’s isolation, had a pivotal moment of realization. She realized it would have only taken seven seconds for someone to pick up the phone and send a simple text to her son—something that could have made a world of difference during his time of need. This realization became the foundation for her starting the organization, Only7Seconds. The organization’s mission is rooted in the belief that small, intentional acts of connection, like a brief message or check-in, can have a profound impact on combating loneliness, especially among young people.

He explained that while the effects of loneliness on older adults have been widely discussed, youth loneliness is often overlooked. Young people, especially those who are transitioning out of institutional care or experiencing behavioral health challenges, are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of social isolation. According to research Luke shared, loneliness can lead to a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. For young adults in particular, it can also hinder their ability to form lasting relationships and develop critical life skills, such as emotional regulation and conflict resolution.

Key Data Points and Research Insights:

Luke shared several striking data points from his research and the work of Only7Seconds:

1. Loneliness in Gen Z: 79% of Gen Z identify as lonely—nearly 8 in 10—making them the loneliest generation.
2. Frequency of Loneliness: 1 in 4 young adults report feeling lonely a lot during the day.
3. Impact on Life Expectancy: Prolonged loneliness can decrease life expectancy by 15 years, equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
4. Impact on Academic and Career Success: Research has shown that loneliness can negatively affect academic performance, reducing a young person’s ability to focus and complete tasks. Similarly, those who experience chronic loneliness are less likely to succeed in their careers or sustain long-term employment.
5. Social Health: According to studies, social connections are crucial for emotional well-being. Individuals with strong social ties tend to live longer, experience less stress, and show greater resilience in the face of challenges. However, young people often lack the skills to form and maintain these connections, which contributes to the cycle of loneliness.
6. Technology and Loneliness: With the rise of social media and digital communication, young people are often more connected online than in person. However, studies indicate that online interactions do not have the same positive effects on emotional health as face-to-face connections. In fact, heavy use of social media can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Luke discussed the significant impact of loneliness on young people transitioning out of foster care, juvenile justice, or behavioral health facilities. Many of these young people are already dealing with trauma, loss, and a lack of supportive relationships, making the risk of loneliness even greater. He emphasized that loneliness is often not just about physical isolation but about lacking a sense of belonging or connection to a community.

What Only7Seconds Does:

Only7Seconds is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating youth loneliness by encouraging individuals and communities to connect with others in meaningful ways. The organization focuses on raising awareness about loneliness and the importance of intentional connections. Only7Seconds empowers people to act by providing tools and resources to help facilitate these connections:

1. Advocacy & Awareness: Through community events, business partnerships, media production, and speaking engagements, Only7Seconds advocates for change by raising awareness about loneliness and encouraging individuals to make intentional connections.
2. Schools and Youth Programs: The organization runs a school and youth program designed to inspire young people to make meaningful connections. Teachers are equipped with tools to create environments where students can engage in conversations and learn skills to address loneliness.
3. The Ambassador Program: This program trains individuals passionate about creating conversations around loneliness. Ambassadors are equipped with tools to inspire and activate their communities by promoting intentional connections.
4. The “I Know Lonely” Project: This initiative shares personal stories of loneliness and connection through visual and audio content, reminding individuals that they are not alone in their experiences and providing opportunities for connection.
5. Strategic Priority: Over the next three years, Only7Seconds aims to reach and empower 500,000 youth and young adults, focusing on the loneliest demographic in the U.S. The organization’s work primarily targets the 8-24 age range, where the greatest need exists.

Practical Applications and Solutions:

Luke emphasized that addressing loneliness in young people requires a multi-faceted approach. He provided several actionable strategies that can be implemented at the individual, community, and institutional levels to mitigate loneliness and foster meaningful connections:

1. Building Intentional Communities: Organizations and programs, such as those supported by the Bridge Coalition, can play a key role in creating environments where young people feel safe, valued, and connected. These communities should be built around shared values and experiences, fostering peer support and mentorship opportunities.
2. Skills Development: To help young people develop lasting relationships, programs should focus on building key social and emotional skills, such as communication, empathy, and conflict resolution. Luke suggested that these skills are often overlooked in traditional education systems but are essential for personal development and well-being.
3. Peer-Led Initiatives: Empowering young people to take leadership roles in addressing loneliness within their own communities can be incredibly effective. Peer-led initiatives help create a sense of ownership and responsibility, while also normalizing the conversation around mental health and connection.
4. Collaboration Across Sectors: Luke stressed that tackling the youth loneliness epidemic requires a collective effort from schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers. By working together, these sectors can ensure that young people have access to the resources, support, and networks they need to thrive.
5. Increased Focus on Mental Health: Addressing loneliness also means addressing the mental health crisis that accompanies it. Luke encouraged the Coalition to advocate for policies that prioritize mental health resources, including access to counseling, support groups, and community-based programs that focus on holistic well-being.

The session with Luke Wall was followed by a robust Q&A, with many insightful discussions and group interactions. Attendees raised important questions about engaging neurodivergent youth, the challenges faced by young people in rural areas, and how to build trust with youth who feel abandoned by state systems. There were also discussions about how to better engage youth experiencing homelessness, particularly those who are hesitant to connect due to past traumas. Luke provided thoughtful responses, emphasizing the importance of patience, empathy, and small acts of connection to foster meaningful relationships. Several attendees also expressed their interest in advocating for the loneliness epidemic and shared ideas on how to further support youth in their communities. These discussions reinforced the need for community-based approaches to addressing loneliness and building supportive networks for young people.

NorthStar Advocates Updates

Jim Theofelis and Sarah Spier provided key updates on NorthStar Advocates’ ongoing initiatives, including progress on the HCA RFQ for Technical Assistance. Sarah shared that NorthStar Advocates had finalized its proposal to become the official technical assistance and consulting body for the development and implementation of the SHB 1929 transitional housing programs. Sarah informed the group that the proposal would be submitted by December 2nd.

Jim then discussed the final RFP released by the HCA for the SHB 1929 Bridge Transitional Housing Programs, inviting interested providers to apply. Jim attended the HCA Housing Information Meeting, where he clarified that the initial funding of approximately half a million dollars per house would cover the first 6 months of funding. He explained that depending on the upcoming budget, this funding may be doubled for the next fiscal year, beginning in July.

Jim also presented NorthStar Advocates’ Advocacy Agenda, which includes three key areas of focus:

1. Family Reunification and Family Preventative Support: This initiative advocates for services that strengthen families to prevent unnecessary separations and provide the needed support, ensuring young adults do not enter systems of care in the first place.
2. HPDF Flexible Funds: Although temporarily paused due to A Way Home Washington’s closure, the hope is for Building Changes to take over this fund. Jim emphasized NorthStar Advocates’ advocacy to ensure the unrestricted flexible funds for youth remain in the state budget.
3. Expansion of SHB 1929 Housing Programs: Advocating for the addition of three more SHB 1929 transitional housing facilities, including long-term housing options, to ensure that every young adult leaving inpatient behavioral health care has access to a safe, stable, and supportive environment for successful community reintegration and to prevent homelessness.

Community Updates: 

• There were no community updates.

Closing Comments:  

• Jim and Sarah closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their support and participation in this work. Sarah reminded everyone that there will be no December meeting.