Goshen, NY – November is National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM). According to a study from Voices of Youth Count and Chapin Hall, 4.2 million young people, age 13-24, experience some form of homelessness, in the course of a year. Homelessness can take on many forms and may include couch surfing, sleeping on the streets, or staying in shelters. To help reduce the incidence of youth homelessness, and draw attention to this cause, HONOR will be participating in several events throughout November. Earlier today, November 7th, 2019, Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus issued a proclamation declaring that November is Runaway Prevention Month in Orange County, New York. The proclamation was read by County Legislator, Rob Sassi and presented by the Chairman of the Legislature, L. Stephen Brescia.
On November 19th, HONOR will celebrate the opening of the new location of A Friend’s House, Orange County’s only homeless and runaway shelter for youth, with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Immediately afterward, HONOR will hold a candlelight vigil at A Friend’s House to help shine a light on the experiences of runaway youth. This effort is designed to raise awareness of the issues faced by runaway and homeless youth and educate Hudson Valley residents about strategies that help prevent youth from running away from home.
“On behalf of the entire HONOR Family and for those youth we have the privilege to serve we would like to extend our humblest appreciation to our entire Orange County Legislature, County Executive Mr. Steve Neuhaus, Commissioner Darcie Miller and the countless other county employees past and present for their constant support and trust in our A Friend’s House Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter and for recognizing November as National Runaway Prevention Month,” said Chris Molinelli, Executive Director of HONOR. He continued, “HONOR will continue to do all we can daily to assist and provide hope to the most vulnerable of souls throughout our beautiful county.”
Leveraging the theme of “Shine a Light,” National Runaway Prevention Month brings to light the issues runaway and homeless youth face every day and highlights the resources available to support youth in crisis. Resources such as the National Runaway Safeline’s 24-hour hotline and online crisis services, along with a national network of shelters and food pantries and employment training programs can make a measurable difference to youth who are considering running away as well as those living on the street.
“We are proud to partner with organizations like HONOR to extend the messages and impact of National Runaway Prevention Month in the Hudson Valley,” said Susan Frankel, Executive Director of the National Runaway Safeline, the organization that spearheads NRPM. “We can make a measurable difference in the lives of at-risk youth by joining forces and focusing on prevention strategies and resources that help ensure youth do not end up on the streets.”
Those interested in helping HONOR prevent runaways and youth homelessness are invited to attend our ribbon cutting at 4pm on November 19, 2019 at A Friend’s House, 138 Seward Avenue, Middletown, NY and stay for the Candlelight Vigil. If you are unable to attend but would like to offer your support to the mission or simply learn more about the services HONOR offers runaway and homeless youth, please visit our website at www.honorhelpingothers.org.
About HONOR
HONOR, whose mission is to help others needing our resources, has been providing help to Orange County’s most vulnerable since 1974. Located at 38 Seward Avenue in Middletown, New York, HONOR provides temporary housing through their homeless and runaway shelters as well as many other support services including food pantries, residential recovery programs, case management, housing projects and vocational programs. Their homeless and runaway shelter for youth 17 and under, A Friend’s House is the only one of its kind in Orange County. It is located at 138 Seward Avenue in Middletown, NY. The entire staff at HONOR is dedicated to treating each and every client they serve with compassion, respect and dignity. For more information, we encourage you to visit www.honorhelpingothers.org. If you know of someone who may be in need of assistance please call 1-845-343-7115 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
About the National Runaway Safeline
Founded in 1971, the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that runaway, homeless and at-risk youth are safe and off the streets. NRS serves as the national crisis and communication system for at-risk youth ages 12 – 21. Each year, we make approximately 100,000 connections to help and hope through hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY), online (1800RUNAWAY.org) and offline services, which are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NRS also provides the free, evidence-based Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum for schools and youth-serving organizations. Through the Home Free program, NRS, in partnership with Greyhound Lines, provides youth with free travel home or to a safe living arrangement. For more information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org.
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