Staff Contributor:
Megan F., Community Engagement Specialist
Homelessness is defined as “the condition of lacking stable, safe and functional housing," and on Wednesday, April 29 at 6 p.m., Hedberg Public Library will host a panel made up of youth who have lived that experience, Project 16:49 Presents: Youth Panel on Homelessness in HPL's Program Room.
In Janesville alone, there are 417 children (grades K-12) who are homeless and 1,076 in Rock County. These statistics do not include youth who are not attending school or who have graduated.
Project 16:49 was created in 2012 to help support unaccompanied homeless youth aged between 14-24 in Rock County. The number “16:49” represent the number of hours and minutes between the school day ending one day and starting the next. The nonprofit provides housing support and life skill training, as well as basic needs for unaccompanied homeless youth. In 2025, Project 16:49 assisted 442 youth (ages 14-24) in some capacity, the vast majority being 16–19-year-olds, according to Executive Director Tammy DeGarmo.
Everyone deserves support and an opportunity to succeed. Project 16:49 has a mission to empower the unaccompanied homeless youth to take action to achieve their goals, and HPL is proud to partner with the nonprofit to spread awareness on this topic.
Project 16:49 Presents: Youth Panel on Homelessness
Wednesday, April 29 at 6 p.m.
HPL Program Room
No registration necessary.