Homeless young adults and young runaways go hand in hand. Most of them are running from a bad situation at home. Whether it’s no one listening, physical or mental abuse, neglect, peer pressure, low self-esteem, ridicule for sexual orientation, being kicked out, or running from foster care, all of it increases the rate of suicide, drug & alcohol abuse, high school drop-out rates, unwanted pregnancies, HIV & AIDS, and repeat offenders. JTE has a 4-stage program that will help these individuals earn a better life. To be a part of their success, we encourage donating your money or your time. Simply click How can I Help? and you can be a part of The Solution.
About 50,000 youth in the U.S. sleep on the street for six months or more.
Homeless youth face unique developmental challenges and vulnerability.
Homeless youth face unique developmental challenges and vulnerability.
The following statistics come from www.dosomething.org & National Alliance to End Homelessness.
- 39% of the homeless population is young people under 18.
- 1 in 7 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 will run away.
- About 75% of homeless teens use drugs or alcohol as a means to self-medicate and deal with the traumatic experiences and abuse they face.
- There are approximately 1.7 million homeless teens in the US. Post flyers in your community to educate homeless teens on resources and services.
- 5,000 young people die every year because of assault, illness, or suicide while on the street.
- A US Department of Health and Human Services study found that 46% of homeless youth left their home because of physical abuse. 17% left because of sexual abuse.
- Approximately 40% of homeless teens identify as LGBTQ.
- Over 50% of young people in shelters and on the streets report that their parents told them to leave or knew they were leaving and didn't care.
- The average age a teen becomes homeless is 14.7 years.
- Teens age 12 to 17 are more likely to become homeless than adults.
- HIV rates for homeless young people are 2 to 10 times higher than reported rates for other samples of adolescents in the U.S.