Supporting Efforts to Promote Greater Awareness of Effective Runaway Youth Prevention Programs

SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS OF EFFECTIVE RUNAWAY YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMS -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 28, 2005)

* Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 484, a resolution which supports efforts to promote greater awareness of effective prevention programs for youth at-risk of running away from home and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources, and supports for homeless youth. The resolution also commemorates National Runaway Prevention Month.

* The statistics of runaway and homeless youth are staggering: 1.6 million youth are on the streets every day; more than 1,200 youth run away from home each day; and 1 out of every 7 children in the United States runs away from home before the age of 18. It's not easy being a kid today. The decisions and concerns confronting kids today are tougher than ever: peer pressure, drug/alcohol abuse, and more. Some face pregnancy or AIDS. Many more are experiencing violence in the streets, at home, and in the classroom.

* For the estimated 1.6 million kids living on the street, these dilemmas may be especially difficult because there is all too often no one to talk to. These youth thought they could escape their problems by running away, only to encounter even more problems.

* That is why I support the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS)'s mission which serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. While its national headquarters is in my district in Chicago, NRS provides services to youth and families across the country. Without organizations such as the National Runaway Switchboard, over a million youth each year would have nowhere to turn during a time of crisis. Established in 1971, NRS is recognized as the oldest hotline in the world. With the support of more than 150 volunteers, NRS handled over 111,000 calls last year and more than 3 million calls in its 34-year history. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Over 10,000 youth have been reunited with their families through the NRS Home Free program.

* On April 18, 2005, I joined Executive Director, Maureen Blaha, at NRS headquarters to unveil NRS's new 800 number, 1-800-RUNAWAY to the American public. NRS also announced the establishment of a new web site, www.1800RUNAWAY.org to match its new signature 800 number. These new initiatives are intended to provide vulnerable and at-risk youth with an easy name and number to remember when they are experiencing crisis and looking for help. The NRS hopes to offer its services to more and more youth with the rollout of 1-800-RUNAWAY.

* Now is the time to protect the vulnerable and support our youth. Tomorrow's leaders are running away from homes and falling into a life of uncertainty, violence, and crime. I urge my colleagues to join me in this fight to save tomorrow's leaders; vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 484.

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