Television public service announcements (PSAs): We’ve partnered with the National Runaway Safeline to create a series of videos featuring formerly homeless young people who got the help they needed through FYSB grantees. We’ll be distributing these 30- and 60-second PSAs to television networks and stations across the country in an effort to build awareness of 1-800-RUNAWAY, the 24/7 hotline available to young people and adults.
A report sharing the experiences and needs of homeless street youth: We’ve also published the results of our Street Outreach Program Data Collection Study featuring information from 656 homeless young people in 11 cities. That study, completed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, found that more than half of participants became homeless for the first time because they were asked to leave home by a parent or caregiver. More than half said they tried to stay at a shelter but it was full. The report also includes a section on implications for policy, practice, and research to connect researchers’ findings to tangible improvements needed in available services.
The FYSB Runaway and Homeless Youth Program would like to thank the 11 Street Outreach Program grantees who contributed to the study, as well as the grantees who connected us to the vibrant youth featured in the PSAs.
We hope you’ll share these resources in your community to bring attention to the important work that you do.