Causes of homelessness among youth fall into three inter-related categories: family problems, economic problems, and residential instability.
Many homeless youth leave home after years of physical and sexual abuse, strained relationships, addiction of a family member, and parental neglect. Disruptive family conditions are the principal reason that young people leave home: in one study, more than half of the youth interviewed during shelter stays reported that their parents either told them to leave or knew they were leaving and did not care (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (a), 1995). In another study, 46% of runaway and homeless youth had been physically abused and 17% were forced into unwanted sexual activity by a family or household member (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (c), 1997).
Some youth may become homeless when their families suffer financial crises resulting from lack of affordable housing, limited employment opportunities, insufficient wages, no medical insurance, or inadequate welfare benefits. These youth become homeless with their families, but are later separated from them by shelter, transitional housing, or child welfare policies (Shinn and Weitzman, 1996).
Residential instability also contributes to homelessness among youth. A history of foster care correlates with becoming homeless at an earlier age and remaining homeless for a longer period of time (Roman and Wolfe, 1995). Some youth living in residential or institutional placements become homeless upon discharge -- they are too old for foster care but are discharged with no housing or income support (Robertson, 1996). One national study reported that more than one in five youth who arrived at shelters came directly from foster care, and that more than one in four had been in foster care in the previous year (National Association of Social Workers, 1992)......Read More The National Coalition For Homelessness
Homeless Youths In America
Family Promise
Building communities, strengthening lives.
About Family Promise
"Our mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence.
We recognize that poverty is a multifaceted problem that requires a multifaceted response. We respond by integrating educational outreach, smart programming, effective policies, and the hands-on work of thousands of volunteers. We provide food, shelter, and support services for homeless families. We provide advice and advocacy for at-risk families to prevent their becoming homeless. And we educate people about poverty and the means to combat it.
Family Promise
71 Summit Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901
Tel: (908) 273-1100
Fax: (908) 273-0030
To send a message: "Send Message"
We accomplish our work through independent Affiliates in 41 states (and counting). We work community-by-community, guided by experts . . . the people who live there and know it best. At the heart of each Affiliate is an Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). The IHN marshals existing local resources to provide for homeless families as they work to get back on their feet. These resources include available congregational spaces, donated goods, and - most importantly - volunteers.
Today, we mobilize more than 160,000 volunteers from coast to coast in our commitment to building communities, strengthening lives.
Our Affiliates are nonsectarian. They welcome all clients. Their volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and represent nearly every faith in the United States.
Since our founding more than twenty years ago, we have served about 500,000 people, including tens of thousands of homeless families who found temporary homes at our Affiliates. Most of our clients are children.
Our proven approach has helped nearly 80 percent of clients secure housing.
Our Vision: a nation in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future together."
The Network Goes National
The success of the first Networks led other congregations to seek help in developing similar programs. In 1988, National Interfaith Hospitality Network was formed to bring the program to other areas where neighbors could work together to help homeless families.
To date, Family Promise has established 182 affiliates in 41 states, using the services of more than 160,000 volunteers and 6,000 congregations.....
Read More on their "Official Website"
To find a Affiliate location near you visit the Official Website "Click Here"
The National Network For Youth
The National Network For Youth is working to create a community of agencies, people and resources to champion the needs of homeless and runaway youth, to ensure that opportunities for growth and development be available to youth everywhere.
Visit their "Official Website"
Offices are located in Washington, DC.
The mailing address is:
741 8th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Telephone: (202) 783-7949
Hotline: 1-800-RUNAWAY is a resource for runaway and homeless youth and their families; it’s free, confidential, and provides support and access to resources 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
National Guard Youth Foundation
The National Guard Youth Foundation (NGYF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization formed to support the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program.
MISSION
The mission of the National Guard Youth Foundation is to advocate for and support the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. The Foundation provides scholarships, training and workforce transition assistance to the graduates of the ChalleNGe Program and fosters program awareness to promote the success of the Program. In cooperation with the ChalleNGe Program, we assist adolescents who drop out of school with the opportunity to improve their life skills, education and employability, creating the next generation of skilled workforce in America. The Foundation also works to raise awareness of the growing dropout crisis in the nation and its impact on our economy and national security.....
Read More on The National Guard Youth Foundation (NGYF)
Contact:
Phone: (703) 684-5437
Fax: (571) 970-3851
E-Mail: info@ngyf.org "Send Message"
Mailing Address:
National Guard Youth Foundation
1001 N. Fairfax Street
Suite 205
Alexandria, VA 22314
Kaley Caperton has been selected as a "National Spokesperson for The National Guard Youth Challenge Program.
Visit her "Official Website"
StandUp For Kids
The mission of StandUp For Kids is ending the cycle of youth homelessness.
"We do this, every day, in cities across America. We carry out our mission through our volunteers who go to the streets in order to find, stabilize and otherwise help homeless and street kids improve their lives."
Visit their "Official Website"
National Headquarters
StandUp For Kids
83 Walton Street
Suite 300
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone: (800) 365-4KID (800) 365-4543
Email: "Send Message"
Youtube Channel: Jessie Hooper
Can you imagine being homeless? Now imagine being a homeless child. This video was produced to help our community understand what children think, feel and experience when they become homeless.
