Helping Vulnerable and Victimized Youths Among Us
Zimney's job is not easy. Powerful and life altering drugs are rampant and easy to access, sell and buy on the streets of Reno. There’s also sex trafficking, victims of abuse, parents spiraling out of control, cops who profile kids living on the streets, and adults who take advantage of youths by offering them free motel rooms.
Zimney doesn’t let all these difficult realities weigh her down. She prefers to focus on the good she’s helping with, on reorienting often victimized youths full of potential back on a better path.
“It doesn’t feel like work. It feels like Im coming home to a family and a community,” she said during a recent interview. “We’re a family here at the Eddy House. The kids are amazing. I love working with them. I love getting to know every individual. Working with them is very fulfilling.”
Zimney at her front office desk. As crisis manager, Zimney uses all her expertise, patience and abilities to try and help youths in difficult situations. Photo by Jose Olivares
Turnaround Success Stories
“We’ve intervened in multiple crises with multiple clients,” Zimney said during the interview at the Eddy House in downtown Reno. “We’ve helped those who are in a domestic violence relationship, to help them end those relationships, to help them find a new place to live, sometimes it’s been a place which helps abused women. They are now in safe housing, going back to school, looking for a job. That’s an example of a success.”
Zimney is especially proud when a youth she has been helping finds the courage and strength to go back to school. “We’ve helped clients get their GED, or follow through with college and other higher education.”
The Eddy House connects the youths who come through with other available services such as signing up for food stamps, Medicaid, and getting back on track for schooling.
A Pitch to Donors for Expansion and a Residence
Zimney says donors shouldn’t hesitate to help if they can, as the Eddy House hopes to grow, and even offer full-time safe shelter living options for this age group.
“These kids are a part of our community,” she said. “These kids are our kids. They are everyone’s kids. We need this help to help these individuals to become successful and become contributing members of society.”
She said the Eddy House also needs help for expansion plans and better services, to expand from drop-in resource and assistance center to even more.
With its current resources, the Eddy House has limited Monday to Friday daytime hours. “We need to expand our hours to be 24-7," Zimney said. "We need to be accessible to all in this age group who need the help. We’re also hoping to be able to do residential.”
For more reporting on homelessness in Reno, as well as other topics, check out our photography on the Our Town Reno Instagram.