November is Colorado Homelessness & Runaway Youth Awareness Month. During this month a local and national public awareness campaign is conducted to:
- Increase awareness of the issues facing homeless and runaway youth, and
- Educate the public about the solutions and the role they can play in preventing and ending youth homelessness.
Facts about Youth Homelessness
- There has been a 166% increase in the number of unaccompanied homeless youth, ages 13-24, in Boulder County in the past two years. In the 13-17 age group, there has been a 233% increase.
- Within 48 hours of running away from home, 30% of Colorado youth will be actively recruited for the purpose of sex and other forms of human trafficking.
- At least 1,500 youth and young adults ages 12 to 25 are homeless in Colorado right now.
- Children make up 27% - the fastest growing segment – of the U.S. homeless population.
How You Can Get Involved:
Attention Homes is joining with more than 40 community and business leaders to raise awareness and support for homeless youth. Each participant pledges to raise $1,000 and will spend the night sleeping outside on the lawn between Attention Homes’ administrative office and First United Methodist Church near 15th and Spruce in downtown Boulder.
Four participating restaurants in Boulder will donate 15% of sales to Attention Homes Runaway and Homeless Youth Program on each Wednesday in November.
Nov 14: Kasa Japanese Bar & Grill, 1468 Pearl St.
Nov 21: Pastavino, 1043 Pearl St.
Nov 8: Foolish Craig’s, 1611 Pearl St.
Attend a community meeting with continental breakfast to learn more about runaway and homeless youth and what is being done locally to help.
Nov 1 & 29: 7:30-9 am @ First United Methodist Church, Parlor Room, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder, CO
November is National Runaway Prevention Month. Porch lights across the country will glow green to show support for runaway youth. Obtain your green light bulb with a $5 suggested donation by contacting ContactAH at attentionhomes dot org or visit us at 1443 Spruce St.
Other Ways You Can Get Involved:
- Donate your status on your favorite social networking site – like Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter – to raising awareness of youth homelessness. Direct people to Attention Homes’ website, www.attentionhomes.org/homelessawareness to learn how to help.
- Volunteer with Attention Homes’ Runaway & Homeless Youth Program. Click here for our current list of volunteer opportunities.
Resources:
National:
National Runaway Switchboard
1-800-RUNAWAY
www.1800runaway.org
Covenant House
1-800-999-9999
www.covenanthouse.org
Colorado & Local:
Attention Homes (Boulder area)
303.447.1206
www.attentionhomes.org
Family Tree Gemini (Metro Denver/Boulder area)
303.235.0630
www.thefamilytree.org
Office of Homeless Youth Services (Statewide)
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division of Supportive Housing & Homeless Programs
303.866.4944
www.coloradohomelessyouth.org
Urban Peak (Metro Denver area)
303.974.2900
www.urbanpeak.org