Justin's Story
By Lashawnda M. Carter
Tiffany’s afternoon shift as a frontline team member at the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) included a call from a seventeen-year old male calling from a Safe Place shelter in Ohio.
"National Runaway Switchboard," Tiffany answered.
"Hey, my name is Justin and I’m trying to get home to my mom in Pennsylvania," Justin said.
"Would you like to tell me what happened?" asked Tiffany.
"Well, I was living with my dad and my stepmom but they threw me out of the house yesterday morning," said Justin.
"Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Justin. Why did they throw you out of the house?" asked Tiffany.
"They accused me of stealing some money and jewelry from them, but I didn’t. I swear I didn’t!" Justin said.
Justin went on to explain that after his dad and stepmom accused him of stealing, he got into an argument with them. He said his dad then threw him out of the house and locked the doors. Justin hitched a ride to Ohio and now was stuck. Justin explained how he moved with his dad and stepmom about a year ago to find a job, but had been previously living with his mother in Pennsylvania.
"The past few months it’s just been hard living here. I haven’t been able to get a job and my dad keeps yelling at me to get one. Then my stepmom accuses me of stealing and my dad believes her! I’m just ready to go back and live with my mom," said Justin.
Tiffany asked if he would like to have a conference call with his mother and his father to discuss the issues that were going on at home and also to talk about his option to move back in with his mother. Justin agreed to a conference call between him and his parents.
Tiffany set up the conference call. Justin and his parents decided that it would be best for Justin to return to his mother’s home in Pennsylvania. Tiffany talked to Justin about NRS’ Home Free program to help him get home safely and at no charge through NRS’ partnership with Greyhound. After setting up the Home Free process for a free ticket, Tiffany provided Justin with some resources for job placement programs in Pennsylvania that would help him prepare for the workplace.
"Please feel free to contact the National Runaway Switchboard anytime you need help or just want someone to talk to. We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Tiffany said.
"Thank you so much for your help. I feel much better knowing that I will be back home with my mom," Justin said.
*The names, photo, and location have been changed to protect anonymity of the caller.