A new community initiative from Project 16:49 is taking a different approach to help local homeless youth.

Executive Director Tammy DeGarmo says “Open Table” takes a group approach and will leverage multiple people’s experience, knowledge, and social networks to help lift homeless youth out of poverty.

DeGarmo says they’re partnering with First Lutheran to launch the initiative into the community, and five to seven community volunteers will meet with one young person for an hour a week for a year in order to help them transition to a more sustainable lifestyle.

DeGarmo says people don’t have to be a member of the First Lutheran congregation to participate, and they can get more information by contacting Project 16:49.