NEW YORK - Youth homelessness around the state, and especially on Long Island, is a problem being worsened by the recession and funding cutbacks. Those who help to shelter and counsel runaways estimate that 3,000 to 4,000 teens a year are in non-permanent living situations, ranging from couch-surfing to living on the streets of Long Island.

Bill Best, who steers homeless teens to the only shelter in Nassau County, says the situation is dire. He welcomes fundraising efforts, like a new CD by emerging young musicians, that raise money - and concern - for the cause.

"This effort is great for awareness. Most people think most runaways go to New York City, but it's not true. We have them everywhere."

Singer-songwriter Rachel Sage says homeless teens are something most touring musicians can't avoid seeing, and their number seems to be growing. She is donating proceeds from a compilation CD called "New Arrivals, Volume Four" to the National Network for Youth.

Sage, who grew up in Westchester County, identifies herself as bisexual. She says she's fortunate her parents were understanding.

LGBT teens, says Teresa Buhse of the Long Island Crisis Center, make up a large percentage of runaways.

"They identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and their parents can't accept that. They either ask them to leave or make life at home so unbearable by their reactions that the kids just feel like they need to get out of there because it's not a good place for them to be."

Best says the runaway shelter he directs in Nassau County has not had a boost in support since 1985 and lost half its funding in the state's newest budget.

"It's upsetting and it's upsetting for the staff here. We're the last ones left in Nassau county - and essentially, Long Island. We're it. From Montauk to Manhattan, we're the only emergency shelter and independent living program for those age groups we serve."

Sage produced her fundraising CD on her own record label. She says she chose to give the proceeds to the National Network for Youth because of her experiences on the road.

"As a touring artist, unfortunately, I've really seen a lot of homeless youth - and seemingly an increase - in all of the places where I've been touring, all over the United States. The peers on my label have talked about the same things they've witnessed, as well."

The CD, "New Arrivals, Volume Four," will be available June 7 through online music sites.



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Pennsylvania nonprofits are working with teens in foster care to ensure they have the resources they will need to navigate life once they are out of the system.

In Pennsylvania, about 15,000 children are in temporary foster care.

Joseph Birli, CEO of Bethany Children's Home, said they have a congregate care setting to assist those who have been traumatized. He pointed out teens may need emergency shelter if they're at risk for human trafficking. And the staff works with them as they age out of the system.

"Our 18- to 21-year-old population, we do a life skills training for them," Birli explained. "We offer them opportunities to learn about budgeting and caring for themselves so that, as they become citizens and do discharge out of service, that they're going to be somewhat prepared to live on their own."

About 20,000 young people exit foster care each year in the U.S., according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

In Pennsylvania, Birli said 18-year-olds can leave the foster care system but can return if needed until age 21 by contacting their county. He added many do return, after realizing life is tougher than expected.

Kerry Krieger, executive director of Delta Family Services, said they support foster youth through age 21 with a supervised independent living program. Young people live in their own apartments, with the agency covering rent, utilities and stipends. A life skills coach checks in weekly to offer guidance and support, filling the gap when family is not there.

"We use an evidence-based life skills curriculum, so they have to be doing the rules -- not only of the program, but of staying in dependent care -- is that they have to be going to school and/or have a job."

Krieger emphasized the goal is for a young person to leave care with a supportive, unpaid adult connection, but also with some education and job skills, stable housing and access to health care. She added in Pennsylvania, a person 16 or older with a history of foster care can get a tuition waiver they can use at many state or community colleges.


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New research by social scientists showed children who suffer traumatic experiences growing up are more likely to use firearms defensively as adults.

Iowa mental health experts said early intervention is key to addressing the problem. The research, done by social scientists are Rutgers University, asked respondents about abuse and neglect they suffered as kids, depression, their levels of social distrust and sensitivity to perceived threats. Then they asked them about their use of guns when they feel threatened.

Lisa Cushatt, executive director of the nonprofit Iowa ACEs 360, an organization working with kids who have experienced childhood trauma, said recognizing a child's triggers early on is critical.

"You and I may not perceive threats that another person does because that's based off of our own perspective and experience," Cushatt explained. "A person who has experienced significant trauma may see threats in setting or ways that you and I don't anticipate or understand."

Cushatt emphasized once people recognize triggers among youth who have been traumatized, it is easier to de-escalate a potentially dangerous situation, reducing the chances the child will use weapons when they feel threatened as adults.

Cushatt added the early intervention not only shortcuts potentially dangerous situations for children and those around them but reduces the cumulative effect of traumatic experiences over time. She noted while the field of research is fairly new, social scientists are learning there are lots of factors bearing on what children carry with them into adulthood, and school settings are critical.

"In Iowa, I think schools are increasingly doing more to understand the science behind adverse childhood experiences and trauma, and understanding how things in the school setting may impact kids who've experienced trauma," Cushatt observed.

Cushatt stressed because school officials better understand triggers, they can develop response strategies and de-escalation techniques to handle potentially dangerous situations. The research was published by the National Library of Medicine.


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January is National Mentoring Month, and organizations like MENTOR Indiana are making a difference in young lives.

MENTOR Indiana is part of the Indiana Youth Institute. For nearly 20 years, it has connected young Hoosiers with caring adults.

Tami Silverman, president and CEO of the institute, said mentoring changes lives and there is research to prove it.

"When a young person has a mentor, they're 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer in their home communities and they're twice as likely to hold a leadership position," Silverman outlined.

She pointed out their work ensures young people get the support they need to succeed. Despite the benefits, one in three young people lacks a mentor outside their family. Silverman stressed the gap leaves millions without the guidance they need to thrive.

To help close the gap, MENTOR Indiana follows proven practices to build strong and lasting mentor-mentee relationships. The organization partners with schools, nonprofits and community groups to meet the diverse needs of Indiana youth.

"That can translate into helping them talk through difficult things in their own life," Silverman added. "Whether that's friends' interactions or school, or trying to find work or thinking about what they want to do when they grow up."

She emphasized their efforts also address broader challenges like education gaps, mental health struggles, and community violence.


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