Hudson Valley nonprofits highlight resources for runaway teens during National Youth Hope Month
National Youth Hope Month aims to raises awareness to challenges faced by runaway youth while promoting resources that are available.
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News 12 is highlighting the efforts of two Hudson Valley nonprofits helping runaway teens this National Youth Hope Month.
Domingo Ramos runs Hope Alive 845, a group that works to safely find dozens of runaway teens throughout the Hudson Valley each year at no-cost to families.
He recently started a teen mentor program to help former runaways and other at-risk youth.
“Our major thing is to lower the runaways happening and most of our cases are runaways,” says Ramos. “We guide them and talk to them and make sure they don’t run away again. They always thank us in the end.”
In Middletown, HONOR operates “A Friends House,” which is the only homeless shelter for runaway teens in Orange County.
“We really work to make sure they have a safe place to go when they’re leaving,” says HONOR Chief of Staff Liz Schmidt. “Hopefully, that is family reunification if that’s the safest place for them to go, but if it’s not, we’ll work to make sure they have a safe family member to go to or another program long-term.”
November has been recognized as National Youth Hope Month or National Runaway Prevention Month since 2001 and aims to raises awareness to challenges faced by runaway youth while promoting resources that are available.
If you or someone you know needs help for an at-risk youth or is dealing with youth homelessness help is available by calling Hope Alive 845 at 845-866-0442 or visiting its website at www.hopealive845.com.
Honor's 24/7 helpline is 845-343-7115. More information on their services and youth homeless shelter can also be found on their website www.HonorHelpingOthers.org.
