The existing traditional services were designed to work with children who are part of the system. If a child were referred as a condition of probation or a condition of child protective services they would have a place to go. The street children are not part of that system, either by happenstance or by their own direct actions. To them, every contact with the foster care and welfare systems has been a step downward. Above the Line contracts with youth services and with county mental health services.
Workers walk the streets, find the kids and provide assistance.
The children get some new clothes and necessary medical care. Counselors sometimes go with them to a local coffeehouse for a cup. Above the Line is a voluntary program, so only youths who are willing and able to change their lives come into the program. They are not obliged to stay and Above the Line is not obliged to keep them. The children must really want to do the work of making changes.