Assist a Local Youth Shelter Near You. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administers the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs. These programs provide funding for Basic Centers, Transitional Living Programs, and Street Outreach Programs that serve runaway and other unaccompanied homeless youth. For more information and a list of current grantees, click here
Get the Word Out About Runaway Youth. The National Runaway Switchboard is the federally designated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth. Learn how to get the word out about 1-800-RUNAWAY in your community as a Street Team. For more information, here
Help Runaway and Homeless Youth Through Public School Districts. Runaway and homeless youth are entitled to a public education, including immediate enrollment, school stability, and resources. Find out more about youth educational rights here. In addition, every school district is required to designate homeless liaison who is responsible for coordinating services for homeless youth. You can contact your school district liaison by calling your school district. Or you may contact your State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth who will be able to connect you to your local liaison. A directory of state coordinators is available at here
Help Create Safe, Stable Housing for Youth. The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth announces "Housing + High School = Success. Schools and Communities Uniting to House Unaccompanied Youth." This report features communities that have established safe, stable housing for youth in collaboration with their school districts. It includes a step-by-step guide and sample forms and documents to replicate the programs. A preliminary version of the report is a available at NAEHCY's web site at here
Create a Safe Place for Youth in Your Community. Safe Place is the first step to help for any youth in crisis or at risk. This community collaboration program makes it possible for any youth to access help at locations including fast food restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations, libraries and city buses which display the Safe Place sign. A map of Safe Places is available here at here
Stand Up for Kids. Stand Up for Kids operates local street outreach programs and provides services all over the United States. To find a program near you, click here
Reach Out to LGBTQ Homeless Youth. Contact the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to learn about the high prevalence of homelessness among LGBTQ youth and what you can do about it. More information is available here http://www.thetaskforce.org/issues/youth
