If You Need Help...

These on-line resources are either related in some way to Runaway, Abuse or Teen Crisis.

• Western States Youth Services Network
• Girls and Boys Town
• California Youth Crisis Line
• Children of the Night - Rescuing America's Children
• Covenant House California
• National Runaway Switchboard
• United States Department of Health & Human Services
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• National Safe Place
• Orangewood Children's Foundation

Think running away will solve your problems?

Think again...

The thought of running away may sound like an easy way to escape from your problems. Teens who do run away often find they have more serious issues than before. Many get involved with criminal activities like shoplifting, robbery, prostitution, pornography or drug pushing because these are methods used to support themselves on the streets. Additionally, run away youth are at greater risk of contracting AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases – and not being able to seek treatment for them. They are also at a greater risk for committing suicide because they have lost the support of friends and family members.

If you’re thinking of running away, there are many resources that are available in your community. Don’t run away – go to someone who can help you. Try contacting your local Safe Place program.

If you are in a city that does not have a Safe Place program, get help by contacting the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS). The NRS serves youth ages 12 – 21. This is a national toll free hotline serving runaways, the homeless or other youth in crisis and their families (1-800-621-4000).

If you are in Riverside County, you can always contact Operation SafeHouse at (951) 351-4418 or 1-800-561-6944.

National Runaway Switch Board statistics reveal:

• Teens between ages 10-18, 1 in 7 kids will runaway
• Many runaways will remain on the streets, while only some will return home within a couple of days.
• Everyday 1.3 million youth are on the streets.