More Calgary teenagers than ever before are homeless and living on the streets - a reality that is resulting in an increased need for services to deal with issues such as substance abuse and addiction.

"The city's homeless count last May showed there were 154 homeless youths between the ages of 13 and 17 - up from 56 counted six years earlier. There were another 327 homeless people between the ages of 18 to 24. One of the shelters, Avenue 15, which caters to 12- to 19-year-olds, served 838 different clients between July 2007 [and] June 2008."

While part of the increased is attributed to a rise in the city's general population, experts are concerned that more young people are running away from foster care and group homes. Many young people will go to shelters when they need to, but others choose to stay on the streets, regardless of the dangers they face there. Source: Calgary Herald

Labels: homelessness, runaways

Imagine sitting in a classroom with fellow students, learning about history, math, English, and art. When the school bell rings, your classmates sigh with relief. But for you, the final bell brings feelings of dread because your family is homeless.

"Their numbers are staggering - nearly 700 at the official count by [San Luis Obispo] county school districts last school year. More than 200 of those are 'unaccompanied youth.' And with the tightening economy, those numbers are widely expected to be even higher this year, as more and more local families find themselves without a home to call their own."

School districts do all they can to help give these kids a sense of stability, but the mobile lifestyle gives them no place to sleep or study, putting them at high risk of falling behind or dropping out. Source: New Times in San Luis Obispo

Labels: dropouts, homelessness, students

Organizations in Douglas County, Ore., estimate there are approximately 300 to 500 homeless teens in the county. Some teens live in cars, tents, or boxes on the street, while others move from one friend's house to another, spending the night on couches and floors.

"Whether the number is closer to the higher or lower estimate, these are kids who still have a chance to turn their lives around. While some may be determined to run away from the rules of their homes, others may be leaving homes where there is physical abuse, alcoholism or drug abuse."

In response to, and out of concern for, the plight of homeless teens, a drop-in center has been opened in Roseburg. A $122,000 grant from the state has enabled an existing facility to start building showers, a small kitchen, an interview room and more - specifically for homeless teenagers. Though building of the center is well on its way, an additional $35,000 is still needed. Source: Oregon News Review

Labels: homelessness, runaways, shelters

The Indiana House has passed a bill aimed at providing real help for homeless and runaway teenagers. The legislature also requires the state Housing and Community Development Authority to try and count the number of homeless teens in the state.

"House Bill 1165 does several things: Lifts the legal and regulatory barriers preventing homeless shelters and food pantries from assisting unaccompanied 16- and 17-year olds, extends the deadline that an emergency shelter has to notify a parent or legal guardian if a homeless teen shows up at its door. Previously it was 24 hours; now the notification time is 72 hours."

In addition, the bill allows kids in foster care to stay in the foster care system until they're 21, as long as they have a job or are improving their education. Read more at CourierPress.com.

Labels: homelessness, legislation, runaways

The Medford School District in Oregon has the state's second-highest homeless student population. A teacher and film producer are joining forces to try and offer help and hope to this often-forgotten group of kids.

"Steve Pine, regional coordinator for career and technical education at the Southern Oregon Education Service District, and Sam Baldoni, owner of Inspired Films Inc., hope to launch the Oregon Youth Academy for grades nine through 12 by fall 2009."

The academy will be able to take in 200 to 400 students at a time and will teach video production along with more standard curriculum. The hope is that they can teach at-risk kids how to apply academics to something they find interesting.

Mount Bachelor Academy, a boarding school in Oregon, offers a college prep curriculum in addition to a therapeutic and emotional growth program. They are also the first boarding school in the country to offer an adoption-specific curriculum. Learn more at www.mtba.com.

Labels: homelessness, hope, teachers

In the next legislative session, beginning January 2008, Indiana representatives will address the plight of the state's young homeless population. Their first step: determine how many young people are currently living on the streets.

"'We know they exist, because they are showing up at our doors, and they're calling us,' said Cheryl Hall-Russell, chief executive officer of the Indiana Youth Services Association. But estimates of runaway and homeless youths in Indiana vary widely, from 10,000 to three times that many."

Proposals expected to be introduced in the 2008 legislative session would make the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority responsible for making more shelters and services available to homeless youth. Other proposals would relax rules governing age restrictions and notifications of guardians when young people seek help at shelters.

Labels: homelessness, legislation

On any given day in America, nearly 1.5 million teens are living on the streets. Some have run away from home, others have been kicked out or lost their home due to circumstances beyond their control. The non-profit organization StandUp for Kids has spent the last 17 years training "street outreach counselors" to search for these kids and get them much needed help.

"The mission of StandUp for Kids is to help homeless and street kids. This mission shall be carried out by a national volunteer force whose on-the-streets outreach efforts will find, stabilize and assist homeless and street kids in their efforts to improve their lives... All facets of this mission shall be guided by the mandate that our volunteers shall tell kids they care about them and then, at every turn, prove it."

To date, StandUp has a presence in 30 states and over 60 cities.

Labels: homelessness, outreach

On Tuesday, the Virginia City Council approved a $150,000 grant submission which would fund a youth foyer project. The project would provide young people with support systems and housing.

"The youth foyer has been in the works for about four years, [Lorrie] Janatopoulos said, and will include 13 efficiency units and 2 two-bedroom units for parenting teens, along with a wide array of support services for the disadvantaged young adults aged 16-21."

The staff for the new foyer would include two caseworkers and two to three night and weekend paraprofessionals. The foyer housing concept is considered a successful model for helping young people achieve self-sufficiency. Read more at VirginiaMN.com.

Residential schools offer troubled teens a structured environment and support like therapy and counseling. Find a residential school at BoardingSchoolsInfo.com.

Labels: at_risk, homelessness, support

In June, the House of Representatives heard testimony from - among others - singer/songwriter Jewel about the condition of homeless teens in America. Jewel, herself, was homeless as a teenager and knows firsthand the dangers of the streets and the difficulties of making a better life. The initiative to designate November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month was launched in conjunction with Virgin Mobile's The RE*Generation campaign aimed at connecting at-risk and homeless youth with people who want to help.

"'A resolution and designated month will go a long way toward building awareness of the more than one million children and teens that are without homes and in crisis,' said Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA. 'We trust November will serve as a call to action for Americans to learn more about this vital issue, as well as find ways to support the organizations working to help homeless youth in their own communities.'"

As part of the RE*Generation campaign, Virgin Mobile created the TXT2CLOTHE initiative which allows mobile phone users from any wireless carrier to send a text message that results in a piece of clothing being donated to a homeless teen.

Read more online.

Labels: at_risk, awareness, homelessness