“We've also learned is that, human connection cannot be replaced by video connection. The human touch cannot be replaced by remote. And so we are hoping soon to get back to that stage where we can see people in a room. We can, hold somebody's hand, we can look somebody in the eye, and hear their story and support them.“ - Doug Styles

In this episode, our featured voice is Doug Styles, the Executive Director of the Huckleberry Youth Programs. During the Summer of Love in 1967 Haight Ashbury San Francisco, Huckleberry Youth Programs became the first shelter for runaways in the nation. The program began as a joint effort with Glide Memorial Church and the legacy Haight Ashbury group the Diggers.

Over the last 53 years, their mission of helping free spirits survive in San Francisco has continued including the addition of an array of wrap-around support services such as their Crisis Shelter, Counseling Programs, Health Care Education, and Juvenile Justice Diversion programs.

Delve deeper into Voices of the Community Series on Arts & Culture, Making the Invisible-Visible, Covid-19's impact on nonprofits, small businesses and local government, City of Stockton's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy and our archives: You can explore episodes, speakers, organizations, and resources through each series web page. Watch and learn from all five series now!