Runaway & homeless youth

If someone at home is hurting you, it is not your fault, and you have a right to be safe. There may be safer options than leaving alone, like telling a trusted adult or calling a hotline that can help you plan.

Being pushed out can happen after a fight, a pregnancy, coming out, or a family crisis. It can feel like rejection and shock all at once. You still deserve help, and the services in this guide are for you too.

When home feels like a battle, leaving can seem like relief. Some families can work things out with help from a counselor or mediator. A hotline can help you think through options before you go.

Young people involved with child welfare are at higher risk of running away and homelessness. If you’re in care, you can still call a runaway hotline for confidential support.

LGBT young people had a 120% higher risk of homelessness than their peers in a national study. Family rejection is one reason.

If someone is hurting or threatening you, call 911. If you are worried about abuse, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline offers 24/7 support by phone or text at 1-800-422-4453.

Try to take

• Your phone and charger
• ID, birth certificate or school ID, if you can get them
• Any medical or health information you need
• Some money
• Warm clothes and a few comfort items
• A written list of important phone numbers (in case your phone dies)

Some families agree to a few nights at a relative’s or a youth shelter while everyone calms down. Federally funded runaway and homeless youth programs include emergency shelters, street outreach and longer-term housing for young people.

National estimates of youth homelessness include couch surfing, not only sleeping outside or in shelters.

Staying with people you don’t know well can lead to pressure to “pay” in ways you don’t want. You never owe anyone sex, work or favours for a place to sleep.

Runaway and homeless youth programs offer emergency shelter, street outreach and transitional living. The National Runaway Safeline and 211 can help you find one near you.

National Safe Place runs TXT 4 HELP, a free, confidential 24/7 text service. Text the word SAFE and your city, state or ZIP code to 44357. You get back the nearest Safe Place site or youth shelter, and you can reply to chat with a trained counselor.

• Let one trusted person know where you are
• Keep your phone charged and your location private online
• Stay in well-lit, public places at night when you can
• Trust your gut: leave if a person or place feels wrong
• Don’t share your full story with strangers who offer help too quickly

The liaison helps students on their own choose a school, enroll, and get support. They must give priority to your views and tell you about your right to appeal decisions.

Schools are expected to keep students in their original school when that is in their best interest, unless the student asks otherwise, and transportation must be arranged on request.

The National Runaway Safeline can connect young people with help getting IDs, birth certificates and similar papers through a vital documents legal hotline.

1. Breathe in for 4, out for 6, a few times.
2. Name 5 things you can see and 4 you can hear.
3. Press your feet into the ground and notice them.

A youth worker, counselor, mentor or relative who checks on you can help you feel less alone and plan next steps. Youth drop-in centers often have staff who can become that person.

Shelters, drop-in centers and community health centers often have counselors who work with young people who are homeless. Only a qualified professional can assess what you’re going through, so it is worth asking.

The National Runaway Safeline can relay a message from you to your parent or guardian.

The National Runaway Safeline’s Home Free program helps young people aged 12–21 return to a confirmed safe adult or safe place at no cost. Start by calling 1-800-786-2929.

Transitional living programs and maternity group homes offer longer-term housing for young people, with help building skills for school, work and independent living.

If going home is safe, a counselor or youth program can help you and your family talk about what needs to change. It is okay to ask for a plan before you return.

• Say “I’m glad you’re safe”
• Make sure they eat, rest and get any medical care they need
• Listen before deciding on consequences
• Ask what made them leave, and what would help
• Get family counseling if conflict keeps happening

• Believe them and stay calm
• Help them think about safety tonight
• Share the National Runaway Safeline or TXT 4 HELP
• If they tell you about abuse, follow your state’s reporting rules or call Childhelp for advice
• Keep checking in

Having a child run away can bring panic, guilt and anger all at once. The National Runaway Safeline’s resource database is open to parents and caregivers too, and a counselor can help you through it.

Free, confidential and nonjudgmental support for young people thinking about running away, already away from home, or in crisis. Chat is available at 1800runaway.org.

Find the nearest Safe Place or youth shelter by text, 24/7, and chat with a counselor. Message and data rates may apply.

Confidential help if you are being forced or tricked into work or sex, or are worried about someone else. Help is available in many languages.

Crisis counseling for anyone worried about or affected by child abuse, in over 170 languages. They can also help you find your state’s reporting line.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org, 24/7.

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741, free and confidential, 24/7.

Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org, 24/7. It is free and confidential.

Find A Helpline lists free, confidential helplines around the world, including youth and housing support. You can search by country and topic.