Gallatin High student’s project aims to help Bozeman community

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Gallatin High School student Emersen York is shining a light on the issue of homelessness and urban camping in Bozeman.

She says the problem is even more disheartening when teenagers and young adults are faced with those hard times.

“I didn’t really know homeless youth was an issue in my community, and I’m a teen too, so I care about struggling teens who don’t have the basic needs that they should,” said York.

York’s efforts to raise awareness started with her senior project.

She wanted to focus on small businesses and how important they are to communities. Then she took it up a notch by partnering with Bozeman small business Montana Shirt Company to create a community outreach plan.

From there, they made a T-shirt with the message “Montana Cares.”

For York, it’s about more than just buying a T-shirt.

“It’s a bigger impact, and I just wanted the homeless youth to know that the whole state of Montana cares,” said York.

So far, 19 shirts have been sold, raising more than $700. All proceeds from the sales will go to HRDC’s Blueprint Continuum Program.

York chose the program because it aligned with her mission and her goals.

“HRDC Blueprint Program provides a lot of services to homeless youth that I think are really important, and I think every teen deserves to have those services like supportive housing. And every teen should have a place to feel safe and feel loved. So that’s really important to me,” said York.

HRDC’s Blueprint Continuum Program provides outreach, supportive housing, rental assistance and much more.

The nonprofit has helped 125 teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who were facing housing insecurity last year.

We spoke with an HRDC official who is thrilled with York’s efforts to help raise funds and awareness.

“It was really exciting when she reached out to us and explained what she was wanting to do, and just her wanting to engage and wanting to try to bring awareness to this issue in Bozeman and our community,” said Julie Kelly, youth systems navigator for HRDC.

Even after she finishes her project, York wants to continue to make an impact on the Bozeman community.

“I hope I can continue to do it throughout the month of May and maybe past my graduation day, because I wanted to make a big impact while I’m still at the school,” said York.

If you want to donate to the Blueprint Continuum Program, click here.

To purchase a Montana Cares T-shirt, click here.