What is Robyne’s Nest?
Week 1: Our Focus
At Robyne’s Nest we reach out to you, our community, on a regular basis requesting your support of our organization and student programs in the form of many types of donations, including the donation of your time volunteering in many different ways. Our focus is on always on ensuring Robyne’s Nest can continue to properly serve our students, and we feel an important component of this is to share meaningful insight into what Robyne’s Nest is, and the population of vulnerable students we serve, with the village who so willingly and consistently supports us.
Over the next couple of months, we will go into more depth about each aspect of our program, to provide a deeper understanding of our Robyne’s Nest organization.
Week 2: General Overview
Robyne’s Nest is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Huntington Beach, CA. As a non-profit we have a federally tax-exempt status. Robyne’s Nest does not request nor receive any federal government funding.
Founded in 2015 by Robyne Wood, our mission is to provide vulnerable teenage students in our local communities with the resources and support needed to complete high school, and continue on paths to self-sufficiency.
In 2022, 10% of our annual budget went to administrative costs, 3% to fundraising, and 87% to our student programs. Many of our core team members are volunteers, as are all of our support team members, which is how we are able to keep our administrative costs to a minimum, and ensure the majority of our funding goes to what matters most.
Week 3: Who We Serve
OUR STUDENTS
High school students in the HBUHSD & NMUSD, with little to no parental support, who have been abandoned, kicked out, or are being neglected by their parents or guardians.
Students who, despite their difficult and unfavorable circumstances, want to be in school and have a strong desire to finish HS, who need support but don't know how to get help or what resources are available.
Students are identified by high school personnel, who then contact us.
Robyne’s Nest Student Coordinator meets with the student and counselor to discuss our program with the student.
Students are required to be, and remain, alcohol and drug free, and have no involvement in criminal activity.
Students cannot be on government assistance (housing vouchers, EBT assistance), except that they may have Medi-Cal health insurance.
Once in the program and receiving the needed support, students must consistently attend school, and maintain a “C” average.
Interested student is given our guidelines and contract to review.
Students under 18 years old must have a parent/guardian sign. Once signed, these adults have no further involvement in the program.
Student is accepted into the program if contract is signed.
In addition to the high school students in our program, Robyne’s Nest supports:
At-risk Middle school students in the HBCSD through a group mental therapy program, to provide tools and coping sills necessary for positive mental health before entering high school.
Our students who have graduated high school and need support for college, trade school, and short term housing assistance.
In its entirety, Robyne’s Nest serves students from 12 to 24 years old, because the journey to self-sufficiency does not simply begin in high school, and does not end at 18 or with a high school diploma.
We take a proactive approach to instill personal responsibility and empower these teens to become self-sufficient, complete high school, and progress on their paths to becoming contributing members of the community.
Week 4: Why We Serve
Robyne’s Nest recognizes that each student is different. Our goal is to identify the needs of each individual student, by partnering with the schools and community for ultimate student success. Without a high school diploma, the educational foundation of life and mental health resources to become self-sustaining adults, statistics say these students will likely become homeless adults in our community. Homelessness generates staggering negative impact on a community. It increases crime and dysfunctional behaviors that a community must deal with. Investing in THESE homeless and at-risk teens who want a better life and are putting in the work for it, is investing in the future of our community, state, nation and world!
Week 5: How We Serve
BASIC NEEDS
Food Pantries: All high schools have fully stocked food pantries with grab-n-go foods, bottled water, apples, toiletries and some clothing. Toiletries like deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste, tampons/pads, hand sanitizer, single pack tissues, chap-stick are supplied. All pantries have socks and underwear and in winter months have coats/hoodies/sneakers. Our school pantries serve over 1ooo students that school administrators identify as in-need.
Other Assistance: We have the ability to assist with things like fixing broken glasses, lice treatment, and emergency clothing (new & used). Household items such as furniture, blankets, heaters/fans, etc. are also provided to families in need, again with a focus and thought on providing for the students when the parents cannot.
MENTAL HEALTH
Robyne’s Nest provides mental health therapy as a large part of a student’s care plan. We provide weekly sessions with licensed therapists whose backgrounds are extensive in trauma and abuse in children and teens and are certified telehealth providers with experience in distance therapy using video and phone. We believe in the power and need to take care of one’s mental health as much as their physical health. Students that have completed their therapy program have experienced a remarkable increase in their self-confidence, improved mindset, and the ability to make choices that are thought out and speak to their overall goals in life. We provide approximately 1,000 of free mental health therapy a year.
In recent years, the overall status of youth mental health has significantly declined along with basic everyday aptitudes. In response Robyne's Nest has created an outreach program with two local middle schools to provide 6-week classes centering around Social Skills, Anger Management Skills, and other groups tailored to the schools individual needs. These classes are developed to give these young students a foundation in coping skills to address current stressors and increase overall future wellbeing. Additionally, Robyne's Nest has been providing coping skills as well as study skills classes to the high schools in the Huntington Beach union High School District.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
We provide additional educational assistance such as tutoring, school supplies, laptops, and grade incentives, to enable students to have the tools to do their schoolwork. Guidance regarding FAFSA, scholarships, career counseling, and further education is also provided to students in the program.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Student Living Stipend Program: A monthly student living stipend provides relief in managing daily needs. High school students may be working to provide for themselves or to help with family provisions. When work becomes their priority, their schooling and grades suffer. To be eligible to receive student living expense support, student must have passing grades in all classes, meet school attendance requirements and are not allowed to work Monday through Thursday (unless special circumstance of work hours).
At-Once assistance, with gift cards, is available as well as fresh and non-perishable foods, when available, to help students with their situations.
LIFE SKILLS
We offer life skills education class that will be required to be taken by all students in our program. Robyne’s Nest also teach in the high schools during the Saturday School classes to provide this valuable instruction to a wider audience of teens and young adults. Classes include personal wellness, employment, finances, coping skills for stress, personal data privacy, housing, transportation and many more. Taught by volunteers with expertise in the subject area, we are providing these young adults with life skills for the real world.
These classes help our students to learn to live within their means as government assistance is not allowed in the program except for Medi-cal health insurance (no housing vouchers or EBT assistance).
HOUSING RESOURCES
Housing Resources - Transitional Housing: Phase 1 of our transitional housing is designed to support a high school student who do not have safe, stable housing for up to 18 months depending on their age and situation. This consists of a managed home that provides a safe environment, stability and guidance to learn real-life, hands-on life skills while completing high school and working on their mental health. Once a student graduates from high school and displays certain independent living skills, they will plan to transition to phase 2 for up to 2 years.
Affordable Housing: Phase 2 is our rented, furnished apartments that are designed for students who still need some adult guidance but can live more independently. The support that they receive prepares them to secure stable, permanent housing on their own in the future.
Housing Assistance: This option is meant for the student who has “graduated” from Transitional Housing Program or has found their own housing and is only in need of short term/supplemental financial support. In both situations the goal is to help the student as they become completely independent. We provide some form of housing assistance to 13 students on average each year.
LIFE & CAREER COACHING/MENTORING PROGRAM
Robyne’s Nest Life & Career Coaching Program works to empower students by helping them make, meet and exceed goals in both their personal and professional lives. It also provides that dedicated, reliable volunteer to students who have lost parents and need our help guiding them through estate processes, banking, social security services and more to help them get life in order. Dedicated life and career coaching programs are provided in high schools for at-risk students.
TRANSPORTATION
Monthly bus passes/bikes/skateboards are available to provide students transportation to school, work and health care appointments. We have volunteer transportation when needed.
Robyne’s Nest also helps students get their driver’s license by providing drivers instruction and helping with the fees for getting it all done, including the next step of purchasing a car!
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS – available to all district students.
Scholarship Program for students who want to attend community college.
School Break Food Bag/Gift Cards – we provide over 300 students food bags for school breaks due to the lack of free lunch availability during that time, along with a $50 gift card for perishables.
Birthday/Finals/Holiday Care Bags
Senior Activity Assistance - Through application, seniors can apply for assistance of certain senior activities. Grades, attendance and supervision status applies to this assistance as well.
Week 6: Support from Our Community
Robyne’s Nest relies on donations and volunteers from individuals and service organizations, as well as grants to support our student programs.
VOLUNTEERING – Becoming Part of the Team
Robyne’s Nest is mainly a volunteer-based organization. We value every person that dedicates their time, skills, and expertise to support our mission. Opportunities vary in scope, frequency, and time commitment – there is a role for everyone! Volunteer positions and an application are listed on our website.
DONATIONS – Making a Difference
With your help, we can break cycles and change more lives! Any dollar amount you choose to give has a powerful impact in the lives of our students. Our budget for 2022-23 has 11% going to Admin & Fundraising expenses with the remaining 89% going directly to programs and care of our students. Donations of food, toiletries and clothing are always accepted.
With 192 students in our wrap-around services program in the first 8 years of our existence, the need to help at-risk students has never been greater. There are 48 active students being worked with on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. Being the only non-profit in this area that serves students-only with these services, we work hard to make sure that Robyne’s Nest is sustainable in all areas. Robyne’s Nest is about quality, not quantity.
Robyne’s Nest is a long-term support program for homeless and at-risk students, who have no parental support, have slipped through the cracks and been overlooked. Many are considered adults because they are 18. However, these students are far from being a productive, stable adult. We have students that we have been working with for 4 years. Why so long you wonder? It takes time to break down the barriers and for students to be ready to tackle the abuse and trauma they likely endured in their childhoods at the hands of their parents/guardians. This type of help is not something that can realistically be done in 30, 60, 90 days or even a year. We don’t rush anything and strive to make every program, interaction, and decision for the betterment of our students, breaking toxic cycles and changing lives.