Charles Rangel

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) with some of the graduates and clients of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless YouthLAS VEGAS—Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) was in her district today, visiting the “Safe Place” drop-in center of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) and talking about her Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act.

The legislation, which Berkley introduced last November, would extend the safety net for youths age 16-24 to prevent homelessness and help young men and women with education, employment opportunities, healthcare and other needs.

“Homelessness in this country is a huge problem and homeless youth is an even more challenging one,” Berkley said. “The reality is that we have a foster program that you ‘age out’ at the age of 18.  My kids could no sooner be on their own at the age of 18 than the man on the moon.”