BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- An estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States each year. That breaks down to include 700,000 between the ages of 13 and 17, and 3.5 million between 18 and 25. A significant portion are "couch surfing" or in other temporary housing.

Last school year, 230,000 students in California were identified as homeless by their schools, a 9.3% increase from the previous year.

All this to say a serious problem persists. Thankfully, we have organizations like the Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative, which co-sponsored a Youth Connect Event for young at-risk people at 2020 G St. -- in the empty lot across from Blue Oak Coffee -- on Thursday.

It was all in recognition of November being Homeless Youth Awareness Mon

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