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

St. Cloud, Minnesota, officials are trying to decide how to handle runaways and troubled youth now that a local youth shelter has closed. The OK House, which had been in operation since 1975, was a place where both runaway and troubled teenagers could get help.

"Law enforcement officials have voiced concern about where they will take youths who have run away or committed minor offenses that don't warrant placement in a juvenile detention facility. 'Right now we're kind of struggling with what to do with these kids,' [Police Chief Dennis] Ballantine said."

OK House closed its doors last month due to an operating deficit. Alternatives proposed by law enforcement and state officials include finding emergency foster homes or placing teens at the Sheriff's Youth Home in St. Cloud. Source: St. Cloud Times

Labels: community, runaways, shelters

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

Created in 1983, Project Safe Place acts as a "first step" that teens can take when they need help but aren't sure where to go. Safe Place Coordinators partner with local businesses, like the ones in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to connect troubled or at-risk teens with local social services."

Children run away from home to escape abuse or neglect, the drug or alcohol problems of family members, and sometimes, family members force them to leave, the Web site stated... 'The program allows a runaway child or a child in distress to get help pretty quick,' [Deputy Fire Chief Jimmy] Francis said."

Safe Place currently operations in multiple cities in 40 states and seeks to expand. There are currently 21 Safe Place locations in Murfreesboro and 16 teens have taken refuge thus far. Read more at DNJ.com.

Labels: abuse, runaways, social_services