By RUTH SCHUBERT
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Some blame the area's homeless youth for creating an intimidating atmosphere in the U-District, while other residents accept them as having a right to be there.

About 1,000 homeless youths pass through the U-District every year, according to Judy Kinney, who manages the University District Youth Center, a drop-in service center for homeless youth.

Between 20 and 50 young people come through the youth center's doors each day for such basic needs as food, showers, clothing or "just a break off the street," Kinney says.

Other services include substance abuse education and intervention, and classes to prepare for high school equivalency exams.

The youth center is one of several programs under the umbrella of the Partnership for Youth. Coordinated by Nancy Amidei, a lecturer at the UW School of Social Work, the partnership provides shelters in churches, work opportunities and health services. The group serves meals, exchanges needles and hands out condoms.

One homeless teen acknowledged it's a whole lot easier to live on the streets of Seattle than elsewhere.

"It's just incredible how many people are willing to give," says a 19-year-old who asked to be called "George of the Jungle."

"The reason I'm staying in Seattle is -- this may sound harsh -- but it's easy to live here."

Some have complained that the services attract more homeless kids to the neighborhood, a contention Kinney flatly disputes as a "myth."

The street kids, she says, were there before the services were.