LET’S TALK DURING NATIONAL RUNAWAY PREVENTION MONTH

CHICAGO (September 18, 2008) – The National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) and National Network for Youth (NNY) have announced the theme for November’s National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM) campaign – Let’s Talk.

According to Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director, the theme is a simple message that aims to address a very complex issue.

“Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away each year in the United States, and for a wide range of reasons,” she said. “We want to get youth and adults talking about the challenges and issues youth face today, and runaway prevention in their communities. Simply talking is a first step in understanding and alleviating this national crisis.”

The annual public education campaign, co-sponsored by the two organizations, aims to raise awareness of issues facing runaway and at-risk youth, and educate Americans about solutions and the role they can play in preventing youth from running. Blaha noted that the NRPM theme is named after the organization’s Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum, which is a resourceful tool for teachers, social workers and community leaders to guide a discussion in classrooms, among church youth groups, and with organizations where youth gather. Blaha encourages people to visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org, download the curriculum and implement it in their community.

This is the seventh year of the national campaign, which includes support from local school-based and social service agencies throughout the country. Examples of activities being implemented leading up to and during November include:

• “Spirit of Youth” benefit in Chicago – NRS’ annual awards benefit recognizes individuals and organizations who work to help keep America’s runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the street. This year’s Spirit of Youth award recipient is Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs.
• The Green Light Project – organizations throughout the country pass out green light bulbs to people in their community symbolizing their support of runaway and at-risk youth.
• Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. – FSCC is supporting the NRPM campaign through its more than 3,000 locations nationwide. Participating credit union members will distribute green light bulbs as part of the Green Light Project, display posters, and provide NRPM information and materials in their lobby.
• Colorado Department of Health and Human Services – CDHHS is uniting other state departments, foundations, school districts, and local runaway/homeless youth service providers for various awareness events throughout the state.

Individuals and organizations looking to get involved in NRPM and implement activities in their community can visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org for more information.

About the National Runaway Switchboard
Established in 1971, NRS serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. Recognized as the oldest hotline of its kind in the world, NRS, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, handles an average of 100,000 calls annually – more than 3 million calls since the organization’s inception. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Over 13,000 youth have been reunited with their families through the NRS Home Free program done in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc. The NRS crisis hotline is 1-800-RUNAWAY. For more information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org.

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