Representatives from local and national organizations will gather Wednesday to discuss the most prevalent issues facing Whidbey’s homeless young people, and what can be done to address these issues.

The Whidbey Island Homeless Youth Task Force Forum is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the Coupeville Rec Hall.

Last fall, Ryan’s House for Youth, the SPIN Café and homeless liaisons for Whidbey schools cooperated to establish the task force, which facilitates bi-monthly meetings at which homeless young people can share their stories, express their concerns and discuss their greatest needs.

Ryan’s House for Youth, the island’s homeless youth advocacy organization, and Vivian Rogers-Decker, homeless liaison for the Oak Harbor School District, received a two-year grant from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth in the amount of $3,000 annually.

The grant funds costs such as transportation of youth to and from the meetings, and food for attending youth.

According to estimates from Ryan’s House for Youth founder and executive director Lori Cavender and Rogers-Decker, a few hundred young people on Whidbey lack permanent housing, with some lacking shelter entirely.

In January, service providers and school liaisons conducted a community perception survey for community members ages 25 and older, and a youth perception survey for young people ages 12-24.

During the forum Wednesday, findings from the surveys will be discussed.

The forum will also feature speakers representing local and national organizations, who will talk about the value of homeless youth task forces and what homeless youth need in order to be successful.

The forum is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, as well as Ryan’s House for Youth and SPIN Café.

Email spincafeoh@gmail.com for information.