It is estimated that there are approximately 1,700,000 runaway and throwaway teens in the USA today. This is not a definitive number because homeless youth are very difficult to count. This is largely due to the fact that they do not interact with adult homeless assistance programs or governmental agencies. In fact, they avoid such services. The majority of homeless youth stay with friends or relatives as long as they are allowed, and many stick together in small groups and support each other in any way they can. There are several reasons why they don’t seek help that might be available to them.
They are minors. Kids under the age of 18 are not allowed to use services intended for adults. Temporary housing, healthcare, and other services that cater to adults can’t legally provide help to unaccompanied minors. They are not eligible for public assistance, food stamps, or other government programs. Additionally, as minors, they are not allowed to enter into contracts, so even if they could band together and find affordable housing, no landlord can rent to them.
They don’t want to be incarcerated, put into the foster system, or returned to an abusive home. The fear that they will be turned over to the authorities keeps a lot of homeless kids from seeking help. Many believe being in the foster system or in a state run institution would be worse than being alone. They have very few rights under the law until they turn 18.
They don’t trust adults. Most homeless youth come from high conflict home environments and have been severely neglected and/or abused. Trust and attachment issues are extremely common. They tend to trust each other, and no one else.
They don’t know about services. This was especially true in the past. I think it has gotten better, but it is still a problem, especially in less urban areas.
They don’t self identify as runaways or as homeless. Most of the services that are in place to help homeless youth tend focus on help for ‘runaways’ and the majority of them do not self identify as runaways, or even as homeless. Most were thrown out of their homes, or left because of abuse and neglect. They feel the label ‘runaway’ implies they are bad kids or did something wrong to cause their situations, and the term ‘homeless’ is associated with the stereotypical mentally ill adult or street panhandler, which also does not apply to them.
Unaccompanied teenagers make up about 5% of the homeless population overall. Most of them are quite resourceful, and if you saw one, you probably wouldn’t notice anything different about them from any other kid. Unfortunately, without support, guidance, and resources, many of them end up in trouble. Addiction, violence, and incarceration are what a lot of them have to look forward to in adulthood if they don’t get help.
Article by Dr. Jenna L. Sexton, PhD.
At Legacy House we provide safe, stable, independent housing for girls aging out of the foster care system here in the State of Florida. When they age out, many of them have no where to go other than shelters and many of them “couch surf” with friends and relatives. Here in the State of Florida they are eligible for a college education IF they have a stable home. At RHD they will receive help and learn how to maintain a steady job, attend college and learn how to budget which will help them to become productive young adults. For more information go to legacyhousingproject.com – Thank you!
To date Ormond Church has raised thousands of dollars to house girls aging out of the foster care system. Because of the generosity of others, we currently have a home for these girls. Our oldest son Rich (Pastor of OC) and his wife Brandi are the Directors of the Legacy Housing Project and are sincerely committed to the continued success of this program. With your help as a community we not only provide a home and other material needs, but also a solid foundation for them to continue their college education and change their legacies forever. Most importantly, we prevent these statistically at-risk girls from becoming victims of the global, national, and local sex trafficking industry.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help please email us at [email protected], or call Pastor Rich and Brandi Tidwell at 386-506-1018. Thank you.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27