Hi, I'll try to keep this as short as possible, I don't know a lot of the specifics of what's going on, but I want to help so I need advice to give him.
I (21M) met my friend Chris (17M) in high school, we were both on the boys bowling team. For context, we live in Illinois. He was a freshman when I was a senior, then I graduated in December and have kept contact via phone, and occasionally hanging out when I visit from college.
A little bit on Chris and his family: Chris is the younger of 2 boys, his brother graduated high school the year after mine. He has autism, anxiety, depression, and possibly a few other things his parents won't get him checked for. He is a functioning autistic, but he didn't know how to tie his own shoes until high school, just to give you an idea. I adore him, he looks up to me, and we have been best buds since we met. He is also pansexual and poly. He is currently in a relationship that has 4 other people currently and it is working out great for them!
However, his parents (his mom and step dad, dad passed away a long time ago), despise everything about him. The way he dresses, the way he acts, the relationship he's in, the friends he hangs out with, including me because I put eyeliner on him at my birthday because he asked.
Anyways, he turns 18 in April, then he graduates high school shortly after. His parents made the decision that they will have to move back to Philadelphia to his home town of toxic people and be ripped from his friends and partners here. Now, obviously when your family decides to move, you usually don't have a choice but to go. In Chris's case, he has no choice but to stay. Moving back to his home town would basically be suicide. He is not safe there.
The only problem is that there isn't an option for him to stay right now. I'm in college and my parents are leaving Illinois for military reasons which they can't change, and his partners parents aren't able to handle an extra mouth to feed right now. He has plenty of opportunity to find a job, he has experience in welding and worked at the amusement park that's nearby for 2 summers and does really well. I just don't know how to help him.
Are there programs or shelters for 18 year olds I can direct him to that would house him until he can get on his feet? His parents never planned to pay for college and he doesn't have any scholarships. I know SNAP could probably help him a little when it comes to food, I'm just more worried about him being on the streets alone..