Preventing youth from running away can happen in small towns and large metropolitan cities, in classrooms and boardrooms, around kitchen tables and in national agencies. Big and small, the efforts of many help youth remain safe in a stable environment.

There are thousands of ways you can participate. Explore this section and find what you can do to spread the word in your community, business, school, or home. Invite family and friends to join in.

Youth

• Participate in positive community activities to connect with other teens your age – Boys/Girls Clubs, 4H, Boy/Girl Scouts, church youth group.
• Volunteer at a local youth homeless shelter or food bank.
• Ask your school’s student council, sports team, or other extracurricular group to adopt National Runaway Prevention Month this year and distribute posters, wallet cards, and other materials in your school, mall, or community.
• Visit our Promotional Materials section and order outreach materials to pass out at your school and among friends.
• Tell us how you promoted/participated in National Runaway Prevention Month in your community.

Parents

• Commit to setting aside time to talk to your child each day.
• Set aside regular time for planned family activities such as dinner, game night, family meetings.
• Teach your child about communication, teamwork, and compromise by modeling positive behavior with them.
• Play together in a way that contributes to your community by volunteering as a family. Contact a local homeless shelter or youth organization for volunteer opportunities.
• Visit our Promotional Materials section and order outreach materials to pass out at your child’s school, your church, your place of employment.
• Tell us how you promoted/participated in National Runaway Prevention Month in your community.

Teachers

• Use these tools to educate your students about alternatives to running.
  Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum
  Promotional Materials
  Lisa’s Diary
  Watch On The Street
• Tell us how you promoted/participated in National Runaway Prevention Month in your community.

Law Enforcement Personnel

• Become our partner in distributing information in your community. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY to order wallet cards, brochures and pencils to pass out to youth.
• Advocate for the inclusion of NRS’ name and 1-800-RUNAWAY hotline number on Missing Children and Runaway Report forms.
• Visit our Promotional Materials and order outreach materials to provide to your schools and organizations that support youth.
• Tell us how you promoted/participated in National Runaway Prevention Month in your community.

Community Organizations

• Develop multi-tiered mentoring programs for youth at different stages of development.
• Approach family-friendly corporations to underwrite or provide volunteers for after- school or weekend programs.
• Explore how to be a National Safe Place community.
• Visit our Promotional Materials section and order outreach materials for staff and youth in your organization.
• Tell us how you promoted/participated in National Runaway Prevention Month in your community.

Congregations

• Engage members to recognize and support families in your congregation.
• Develop youth groups that encourage involvement within their church, temple, or mosque community.
• Encourage adult members to actively seek out youth to participate in community activities, such as picnics, fund-raisers, and religious education programs.
• Encourage mentoring both within and outside of the religious community.
• Form a Community Project committee and organize an outing to a shelter or assisted living facility.
• Explore how to be a National Safe Place community.
• Visit our Promotional Materials section and order outreach materials for staff and youth in your organization.
• Tell us how you promoted/participated in National Runaway Prevention Month in your community.

Businesses

• Create a family-friendly environment that discourages unnecessary overtime and encourages family time.
• Develop mentoring or job shadowing programs within your organization.
• Don’t just sponsor a youth sports team; show up and cheer the team on.
• Support local youth-focused organizations with your time and money.
• Provide financial support to local non-profit agencies that help youth, like the National Runaway Switchboard.
• Provide supportive information to your employees. Visit the Parents & Adults section to learn about what some parents in your organization may be going through.
• Visit our Promotional Materials section and order outreach materials for staff and parents of youth in your organization.
• Tell us how you promoted/participated in National Runaway Prevention Month in your community.