A Place for Teens

Since placing a post on Kaitlyn's Facebook page, this blog has received about 25 views per day. I realized that those viewing this may be teens in similar situations, and so I decided to share some resourceful information just in case. What I would hope Kaitlyn knows is how to access resources even if she decides not to return home.

 In a perfect scenario, Kaitlyn would return to her home, the one she's known her whole life.  If for some reason she feels she cannot be here, I would want her to find a safe place.

Austin has a teen shelter.  There is no need to go without food, warmth or safety.  A call to 311 Austin can summon a police officer to escort a homeless teen to LifeWorks.

The weather here has turned cool and damp.  I just can't help but worry that Kaitlyn is outside in this weather, alone, scared and hungry.  Each time I see a young woman standing on a corner pan-handling, I slow down to make sure it is not my daughter.  So many teens are homeless, either by choice.

Some Teen Runaway Facts:

1. There are approximately 1.7 million homeless teens in the U.S.
2. 39 percent of the homeless population is young people under 18.
3. About 75 percent of homeless teens use drugs or alcohol as a means to self-medicate to deal with the traumatic experiences and abuse they face.
4. 5,000 young people die every year because of assault, illness, or suicide while on the street.
5. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found that 46 percent of homeless youth left their home because of physical abuse. 17 percent left because of sexual abuse.
6. Approximately 40 percent of homeless teens identify as LGBT.
7. Over 50 percent of young people in shelters and on the streets report that their parents told them to leave or knew they were leaving and didn’t care.
8. The average age a teen becomes homeless is 14.7 years.
9. 1 in 7 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 will run away.
10. Teens age 12 to 17 are more likely to become homeless than adults.
11. HIV rates for homeless young people are 2 to 10 times higher than reported rates for other samples of adolescents in the U.S.

Reading the stats does not put my mind to rest.

No matter what started you on this path, take a step toward healing, toward self-sufficiency.  There are options.