[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 140 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS OF EFFECTIVE RUNAWAY 
                       YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 484, 
a resolution which supports efforts to promote greater awareness of 
effective prevention programs for youth at-risk of running away from 
home and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources, and 
supports for homeless youth. The resolution also commemorates National 
Runaway Prevention Month.
  The statistics of runaway and homeless youth are staggering: 1.6 
million youth are on the streets every day; more than 1,200 youth run 
away from home each day; and 1 out of every 7 children in the United 
States runs away from home before the age of 18. It's not easy being a 
kid today. The decisions and concerns confronting kids today are 
tougher than ever: peer pressure, drug/alcohol abuse, and more. Some 
face pregnancy or AIDS. Many more are experiencing violence in the 
streets, at home, and in the classroom.
  For the estimated 1.6 million kids living on the street, these 
dilemmas may be especially difficult because there is all too often no 
one to talk to. These youth thought they could escape their problems by 
running away, only to encounter even more problems.
  That is why I support the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS)'s 
mission which serves as the federally-designated national communication 
system for homeless and runaway youth. While its national headquarters 
is in my district in Chicago, NRS provides services to youth and 
families across the country. Without organizations such as the National 
Runaway Switchboard, over a million youth each year would have nowhere 
to turn during a time of crisis. Established in 1971, NRS is recognized 
as the oldest hotline in the world. With the support of more than 150 
volunteers, NRS handled over 111,000 calls last year and more than 3 
million calls in its 34-year history. NRS provides crisis intervention, 
referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to 
youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a 
day, 365 days a year. Over 10,000 youth have been reunited with their 
families through the NRS Home Free program.
  On April 18, 2005, I joined Executive Director, Maureen Blaha, at NRS 
headquarters to unveil NRS's new 800 number, 1-800-RUNAWAY to the 
American public. NRS also announced the establishment of a new web 
site, www.1800RUNAWAY.org to match its new signature 800 number. These 
new initiatives are intended to provide vulnerable and at-risk youth 
with an easy name and number to remember when they are experiencing 
crisis and looking for help. The NRS hopes to offer its services to 
more and more youth with the rollout of 1-800-RUNAWAY.
  Now is the time to protect the vulnerable and support our youth. 
Tomorrow's leaders are running away from homes and falling into a life 
of uncertainty, violence, and crime. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
this fight to save tomorrow's leaders; vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 484.

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