You need a shelter. You need to find a drug rehab facility in your area. Your parents are looking for a family counselor in your area. You have legal questions and don’t know where to start.
You need information, we can provide it. The National Runaway Switchboard has access to more than 13,000 resources throughout the country, several where you are located right now, such as support groups, counseling and drug treatment centers, and youth shelters. We also have a wealth of information regarding legal issues and medical concerns. Call us and we’ll get you the help you need.
You may also find the resources below to be helpful. If you can’t find what you need here, call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY and we can search our extensive database for help in your area.
Answer
Rutgers University’s Answer works to provide sexual education nation-wide to teens in a manner that is objective, age-appropriate, and comprehensive. The organization also provides trainings to teachers to better teach such issues. Others topics discussed on this website are: adoption and emotional health.
Birthright
Taking a confidential, non-judgmental, and supportive approach, Birthright provides a variety of services such as, free pregnancy testing and housing referrals for females experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. This organization has chapters in the United States and Canada. Birthright’s hotline is: 1-800-550-4900.
California Coalition for Youth (CCY)
Since 1978, CCY has been an advocate for California youth. CCY tries to empower youth, and links youth with services and program throughout the state. CCY also has a statewide, confidential hotline (1-800-843-5200) that is accessible 24 hours a day.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Serving abused children and their families, Childhelp is devoted to providing services that allow for each and every child to know "a life filled with love". Some of the programs and services they provide are: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, Child Advocacy Centers, and Therapeutic Group Homes. Childhelp has regional offices and facilities in the following states: AZ, CA, TN, MI, and VA. Childhelp’s hotline is: 1-800-4-A-CHILD.
Children of the Night
Children of the Night is a non-profit organization founded in 1979 to assist children between the ages of 11-17 who are forced to prostitute on the streets for feed and shelter. Through their outreach, shelter home, and 24-hour crisis hotline, Children of the Night are able to rescue youth who have been raped, beaten, overdosed on drugs, and are trying to escape the streets. Children who call the hotline are counseled over the telephone while they wait for transportation to the Children of the Night Shelter or until they can be placed in a shelter in their local area. The Children of the Night hotline is: 1-800-551-1300.
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS)
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) was founded in 1999 designed to serve girls and young women ages 12-21 who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. GEMS has helped hundreds of young girls and women exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential by providing them with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change. Their services include prevention and outreach, intervention, and youth development programs.
Girls and Boys Town
Through its nurturing environment, Girls and Boys Town tries to instill skills and attitudes in youth so that they can become productive members of society. Girls and Boys Town has 19 locations in 15 states. They also have a National Training Center that is devoted to providing professional training to those in the fields of Educational Services, Child and Family Services, Juvenile Justice Services, and Behavior Health Services. Girls and Boys Town’s number 1-800-448-3000.
Lambda Legal Youth
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Lambda Legal secures equality for LGBTQ youth in the schools and in out-of-home care (foster care, juvenile facilities, homelessness programs), and other organized youth activities. Lambda Legal also provides innovative educational publications, such as Out of the Margins and Getting Down to Basics, to provide advocates with tools, practical tips and information to ensure that LGBTQ young people in care receive the support and services they need and deserve.
National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY)
NCFY is an organization where communities and families can obtain information on issues of youth and families. They also help in providing information sharing, publication development, outreach, and reading room. Additionally, NCFY, in partnership with organizations and communities, provides at-risk youth the opportunity gain positive self-images.
National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)
NYAC is working to empower the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning youth community in its fight against discrimination and for more humane and just treatment. Some of the goals of this organization are its advocacy work, national resource clearinghouse, and HIV/STD prevention project. NYAC can be reached at: 1-800-541-6922.
Planned Parenthood
A national agency providing sexual reproduction and health care education to both male and females. Planned Parenthood has over 800 health centers nationally and is made up of 118 independent organizations. The organization also works with agencies in other countries. To find a Planned Parenthood health care clinic in your area, call 1-800-230-PLAN.
Safe Place Program
Serving youth in crisis, Safe Place has coordinated with various entities around the country, such as businesses and schools, to provide Safe Place locations – a Safe Place displays the yellow and black Safe Place sign- and at-risk youth can enter to receive help or gets referrals to a service agency. Safe Place provide also educates the public on the dangers of running away.
The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including its national crisis intervention lifeline (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.
Uhlich Children's Advantage Network (UCAN)
Servicing Chicago area at-risk youth, UCAN provides a range of services and resources to provide this target group with a comfortable and stable environment. Some of these programs include a residential treatment center to address inappropriate social behavior, and a community resource home for youth to live in so that they can learn skills necessary to live independently.