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Groups team up to raise runaway awareness

National and local groups have teamed up together to raise awareness and educate the public about teen homelessness and runaways.

The National Runaway Switchboard, the National Network for Youth, the National Safe Place and many other youth serving organizations, including the Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County, work collaboratively to raise awareness about runaway and homeless youth and educate the public about solutions and ways to prevent the growing problem.

“Young people today are facing so many issues without the life experiences or the support to deal with them,” said Jan Williams, executive director of YSB. “So the natural response is to flee from the situation that is causing the stress, not realizing that by doing so it can make the situation worse.”

According to the National Runaway Switchboard:

• Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away in a year.

• Over the past three years, there has been a 56 percent increase in crisis calls identifying economic problems as a reason for the call.

• One in five youth will run away before reaching the age of 18 and half run away two or more times.

• Indiana has a higher percentage of runaways than the national average at 57 percent.

• Thirty-two percent of runaway and homeless youth have attempted suicide at some point in their lives.

• Fifty percent of runaway youth age 16 or older reported having dropped out of school, having been expelled or having been suspended at least once.

• Eighty percent of runaway or homeless girls reported being sexually or physically abused.

According to national and state data the number of youth who are “throwaways” have also shown an increase. “Huntington County’s data is consistent with the national and state data,” said Ryan Beeching, Safe Place/Host Home coordinator.  A “throwaway” youth is a youth who is denied housing or is prevented from returning to their home by his/her parents and/or care givers.

In Huntington County, the Safe Place/Host Home program offered by the Youth Services Bureau provides the community outreach, education and crisis intervention for youth who may be thinking about running away, who may find themselves homeless due to being a “throwaway” or in need of support as they deal with other conflicts.

In 2013, 94 youth utilized the Safe Place program in Huntington County. Of those youth, 75 percent utilized the program due to family conflict.
Added Williams: “People often think that they are not affected by a runway or homeless youth, but this not the case. The economic impact this growing trend has on our community is eye opening.” Based on national statistics, a youth who has had a history of runaway is:

• 2.4 times more likely to become a smoker.
• 67 percent more likely to use marijuana.

• 53 percent more likely to report an STD.

• To earn on average income of $8,823.

• 76 percent more likely to be a recipient of public assistance.

To learn more about runaway and throw away youth or how you can become involved contact the Youth Services Bureau at 356-9681 or email r.beech ing@ysbofhuntingtco.org. Visit the website at ys bofhuntingtonco.org.