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November designated National Runaway Prevention Month
The Putnam County Commissioners at their Monday, Oct. 19 meeting signed a proclamation designating November as National Runaway Prevention Month in the Putnam County community. As such, they encourage all residents to participate in National "Wear Green Day," scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12.
Putnam County Youth Development Commission Executive Director Linda Merkel spoke in favor of the measure prior to the commissioners signing the proclamation.
The Putnam County Courthouse will also be participating in the "Green Light Project;" all exterior lights will be changed to green for the month and signs, with the National Runaway Safeline number (1-800 runaway or 1-800-786-2929) placed around the exterior of the building.
National Runaway Prevention Month began in October 2002, when then President Bush hosted the landmark White House Conference on Exploited and Runaway Children, leaders from all across the country convened to discuss issues and challenges related to the runaway and homeless youth crisis.
What once was known as National Runaway Prevention Week, was then expanded into a monthlong prevention and awareness program.
The theme for 2015 is "More than Meets the Eye". This theme is designed to dispel stereotypes about runaway and homeless youth by showing the complexity of every young person. The goal is to compel people to see young people who are unstably housed as kids who are experiencing homelessness, not homeless kids.
Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away in a year. If all these young people live in one city, it would be the fifth largest city in the United States. These are not bad kids; they are good kids in bad situations. So when we support NRPM, we are showing America's runaway and homeless youth they are not invisible and not alone.
The NRS (National Runaway Safeline) serves as the federal-designated national communication system for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth. With the support of more than 150 volunteers, they make more than 250,000 connections to help and bring hope through the hotline number.
NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More than 15,000 youth have been reunited with their families through NRS Home-Free Program in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc.
"We, the Putnam County community, want to make sure young people who are unstably housed receive the services they need and not be punished for leaving because of physical, mental, verbal, or sexual abuse," Merkel said. "We know you agree this is a solvable problem, but it takes everyone working together to bring an end to youth homelessness.
"We hope we can count on you to wear green on Thursday, Nov. 12."
For further information, please contact Merkel at 653-9342.