Sue Scheff: National Teen Runaway Prevention Week

Welcome to the National Runaway Switchboard

Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away in a year. Our mission at the National Runaway Switchboard is to help keep America’s runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Our services are provided in part through funding from Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Call 1-800-RUNAWAY if you are a teenager who is thinking of running from home, if you have a friend who has run and is looking for help, or if you are a runaway ready to go home through our Home Free program. Call if you are a teacher looking for information to pass along to your students about alternatives to running from home.

Call if you care about a youth and want information on how you can help someone who may be at risk of running from home.
Our 24-hour crisis line has an experienced front-line team member ready to help you now. It’s anonymous, confidential and free. 1-800-RUNAWAY.

Teens Helping Teens: Promise House Partners with Area Schools to Aid Teens Living on the Streets

DALLAS, Nov 03, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- On Nov. 6 at 1:00 p.m., students from five local schools will gather to culminate their month-long efforts to collect toiletries, personal care items and winter weather clothing for the Street Outreach Program of Promise House. Students from Bishop Dunne Catholic School, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, Parish Episcopal School, Greenhill School and Dewitt Perry Middle School started their collection drives in early October so that their contributions could be distributed during National Runaway Prevention Month in November.

The celebration of the students' efforts is the kick-off event for the 2nd Annual Who's Sofa Surfing Tonight Campaign sponsored by Promise House in conjunction with National Runaway Prevention Month, National Safe Place and the National Runaway Switchboard's Green Light Project. The campaign aims to spotlight the plight of homeless, runaway and abandoned teens in Dallas, which often goes unnoticed compared to the recent, dedicated effort to assist the adult homeless population.

"Over 1,000 teens are on the streets or sofa surfing each night in Dallas," said Dr. Harriet Boorhem, president of Promise House. "Promise House has been the consistent voice for change on this issue for close to 25 years.

"As the only agency to specifically serve the homeless, runaway and abandoned teenage population in Dallas, we believe it is imperative that the people of Dallas and the city government understand that just because teens have grown-up bodies, it doesn't mean they are grown up. Most runaways are lost, alone and terrified. They require specialized care that is usually not offered at adult shelters."

The kick-off event on Nov. 6 will feature Dr. Elba Garcia, mayor pro tem for the city of Dallas. The event will also feature a Promise House resident who will share her story as a part of a vigil to teens lost to homelessness. Additional ways for the community to get involved will follow throughout the month of November as part of the campaign.

Everyone is encouraged to display a green light bulb in their porch light during the month to show their support of this effort as part of the National Runaway Switchboard's Green Light Project. As the Dallas County Coordinator for National Safe Place, Promise House will be distributing green light bulbs to the community on Nov. 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the QuikTrip located at 3230 W. Mockingbird Ln. QuikTrip is a national and local sponsor of the Safe Place Program.

For more information on the Who's Sofa Surfing Tonight Campaign or to get involved, please call Promise House at 214.941.8578 or e-mail communicationsmanager@promisehouse.org.

About Promise House

Since 1984, Promise House has had an open door to youth and families in crisis serving over 50,000 teens and families in North Texas.
SOURCE: Promise House