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"Welcome" This is a place to help runaways find their way. And maybe give those thinking of running an alternative. |
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"The Facts" Every year in America 2 million teens run away. Three fourths of them are running from physcial, sexual, or mental abuse. 5,000 of those children die from starvation, disease, drugs, murder, and exposure to the elements. The other 1,995,000 are forced to face such horrors as homelessness, hunger, drug addiction, and sexual predators. |
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Hello If you are here you are either thinking of running, already on the run, or trying to find a loved one out there. I'm Leaf, and I'm here because I want to help you. Please feel free to email me for any reason. I'll be glad to listen if you want to talk, help you find help, or help locate someone. Don't lose hope because their are people out here that care. I just pray that I reach one person that needs me. I also hope that the info and links I've complied here are useful. ~Leaf
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Have a friend that has been talking about running away? Here are some warning signs that they might actually do it: |
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Withdrawing from friends and school activities |
| Increased rule breaking at home and school |
| Depression and continuing feelings of "I can't do anything right." |
| Comments about things being better "somewhere else" |
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Take their threats to run away seriously and urge them to talk to someone - their parents, a school counselor, a shelter - before doing anything. |
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If You Are A Runaway . . . And you're beginning to think it wasn't such a good idea - |
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Go to the nearest shelter for runaways or call the National Runaway Switchboard. It has a toll-free number, 800-621-4000, that runaways or anyone thinking about leaving home can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained volunteers can talk to you about problems and tell you where to get help in your community. Runaways can leave messages with Switchboard to be delivered to their parents or guardian and then call back for an answer. |
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Be wary of strangers who seem especially friendly or are very generous with their offers for help. They may want to take advantage of you. If you feel uncomfortable or afraid, say "no, thank you," go to the police, or call a runaway hotline. |
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Bus and train stations often have posters or billboards listing shelters telephone numbers runaways can call. Traveler's Aid offices in airports, bus terminals, and train stations help runaways as well as adult travelers. Greyhound and other bus companies have programs to help runaways return home. |
Meet Tina, the troubled teen.
she doesn't seem to want my help
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