Launch of the National Runaway Switchboard's (NRS) new 800 number, 1-800-RUNAWAY, struck a chord with media April 18 attracting television and radio coverage of the press conference announcing the number. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) joined NRS Executive Director, Maureen Blaha and NRS youth volunteer, Ari Jadwin at NRS headquarters to unveil 1-800-RUNAWAY to the American public. NRS also announced the establishment of a new url, www.1800runaway.org to match its new signature 800 number.

"More than 1,200 youth in the United States run away from home each day," said Schakowsky. "Without organizations such as the National Runaway Switchboard, over a million youth each year would have nowhere to turn during a time of crisis."

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 National Runaway Switchboard hopes to offer its services to more and more youth with the rollout of 1-800-RUNAWAY. Coinciding with the announcement of the new number, NRS also released its latest TV and radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) nationwide which also publicize the number.