Letter to the editor: Holidays & homeless youth

The holidays are traditionally a time to socialize with family and friends, enjoy food and drinks, and celebrate the possibilities of the new year. However, for the 4.2 million young people who are homeless in the United States each year, the holidays may be challenging.

At the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), we work to keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. We do this largely through prevention programs and crisis intervention services, including our 1-800-RUNAWAY hotline and online services, all of which are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In 2019, our staff and trained volunteers connected young people to shelter, food, counseling, a bus ticket to a safe place, a non-judgmental listening ear and so much more. We ensured that more than 100,000 youth had the resources and connections they needed to stay safe.

For the teenager in Pittsburgh looking for shelter, we provided options where he could lay his head. For the girl who had run away to Seattle and was ready to return to her home in Phoenix, we arranged a free bus ticket on Greyhound. And for the boy who was being teased at school, we listened and helped him devise a strategy to stand up to the bullies.

All children deserve to be warm, fed, loved and protected during the holidays, and always. Help us end youth homelessness today and find out more about the National Runaway Safeline by visiting 1800RUNAWAY.org.

Susan Frankel

Chicago, Ill.

The writer is CEO of National Runaway Safeline.