The Unaccompanied Students Initiative (USI) is a 501c3 non-profit (EIN: 83-2885380) that provides a safe and stable home to youth ages 16-20 experiencing homelessness. USI became the focus of Strong Families Action Team due to a need identified through the Point in Time Count and McKinney-Vento data through Laramie County School District #1.

NOTICE: USI is not currently taking students at this time.

• A referral is made to USI by anyone, including self-referrals

• Applicants are given an Eligibility Screening Form

• Once the form is completed, the youth is contacted by the Program Coordinator within 1-3 business days to schedule an interview.

• Applicants will complete a screening interview where the Program Coordinator may ask about the information they’ve provided on their form and request more details. 

• Applicants will be notified of the status of their application within 1-3 business days of the screening interview. 

• If accepted into the program, applicants will move into the USI residence within one week of being notified or will be placed on a wait list dependent on availability. 

• Provide a stable home for homeless teens that live in a variety of unsafe, temporary situations - including cars, parks, shelters, motels, and couch surfing.

• Provide a support system for participants in the USI program, allowing the youth to focus on obtaining their high school diploma or equivalent.

• Teach life skills, such as resume writing, budgeting, goal setting and achievement, and personal advocacy so that once they graduate the USI program, they become productive, independent members of society.

• Provides a safe and stable home setting for unaccompanied youth.

• Provides connection and support to community resources to help youth with educational and personal goals.

• Promotes high school graduation, career development, and post-secondary education.

• Assists the youth in becoming a productive member of the community.

2015-2017‍ ‍

• Laramie County Community Partnership’s Strong Families Action Team identifies a need for unaccompanied youth housing and support

• Laramie County School District #1, Catholic Charities of Wyoming, and volunteers offer “host homes” to homeless youth

2017

• Church of the Holy Trinity lends house to pilot offering shared student housing and services

• First student enters program

2018

• Unaccompanied Students Initiative (USI) is formed and registers as a 501c3 non-profit

• Ed Ernste awarded Compassion in Action award for donating the “Natalie House” to USI. The Natalie House is able to house up to 5 students in Laramie County.

• First Twin Home is built in Laramie County, providing room for up to 10 students

• First USI program participant graduates high school!

2020

• USI expands into Natrona County with the help of Highland Park Community Church. Casper is now able to offer support for up to 10 students

2022

• The Natalie House is sold to Family Promise to assist in addressing Laramie County’s family homelessness need

• USI is awarded the Hughes Grant to build a Twin Home in Natrona County

• USI breaks ground on new twin home in Casper, WY

2023

• Completion of the Greta House in Casper provides room for 14 students

• USI Laramie is established and is able to house 4 students

• USI is awarded its first federal grant to improve the mental health outcomes of rural youth

2024

• USI adjusts office space in the Cheyenne location to increase the capacity of youth served to 12, making the total capacity 30 youth statewide

2026

• A shift in the funding landscape and increasing costs results in the difficult decision to close the Casper program in February 2026 and the Laramie program in August 2026.

• Services in Cheyenne are paused until January 2027 while the organization shifts to a volunteer based structure at which time the program will be available to all eligible youth in the state of Wyoming.