November is Homeless Youth Awareness Month
November is nationally recognized as Homeless Youth Awareness Month. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as many as 1.6 million children are presently homeless. In 2010, the National Runaway Switchboard received 2,562 calls within Missouri. 189 of those calls were within the “573” area code regarding homeless youth. Right here in Columbia, Rainbow House receives 10-15 calls each month from local youth who have either been abused or kicked out of the same homes that are supposed to love and nurture them.
With a strong desire to help these young people, Rainbow House opened our Homeless Youth Program in November 2007. Since that time, our Homeless Youth Program has served over 32 youth with housing, counseling, mentoring, case management and life skills training.
You can help Rainbow House and support the Homeless Youth Program by participating in Homeless Youth Awareness Month. A variety of events will help build awareness of youth homelessness and support our mission to help youth develop into productive, caring and self-sufficient members of our community.
To participate in any of these events or for more information on how you or your business or organization can help build a better future for homeless teens, please contact Chad McMinn at 573.474.6600.
Kick Off Concert| November 6, at 7:00 p.m. | Missouri United Methodist Church
My Story | November 3, at 5:30 p.m. | Daniel Boone Regional Library
Youth Essay Contest | Due October 31
Turkey Trax 5K Walk/ Run | November 24
