ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- The city of Rockford has ended chronic and veteran homelessness, but the struggle with homeless youth continues.

Local organizations say they are encountering roadblocks when trying to find a safe place for teens and young adults to stay for the night.

"Where do they go on Sunday night? Where do they go on Saturday night if they need a place to be at? They're on the streets, and that's not good enough. We need to do better than that," said Just Breath 815 founder Kevin Ware.

Ware knows the impact that living without a safe place can have on a person.

"These kids are lost. They have so much trauma. They're in alternative schools. And they don't know that they have matter and they have worth, and we have to show them that it's okay, you can be better than this," said Ware.

Ware runs a drop-in center on N. Church Street that gives homeless teens a place to shower, eat and connect with resources. Some ask for places to stay for the night, but Ware struggles to find open beds.

Angie Walker works with Rockford's Human Services Department. She says while help isn't always immediately available, there are processes to find housing for homeless youth.

"It takes time to find appropriate placements for people. It takes time to get the funding in line or to find what program or what type of housing would be appropriate for them," said Angie Walker.

The city has identified 22 homeless youth between ages of 17 and 24; Walker says that number is just too high.

"Not to say the city's not helping, but there's so much work to be done out there," said Ware.

Right now, human services is applying for a grant that could bring in one million dollars for the department. However, they say it's very competitive.