I want to leave but I have nowhere to go

[Unregistered]

I'm 14 and I've wanted to run away for so long but I have nowhere to go. I don't think I could last on the streets. There are friends who would probably let me stay with them but I think it's illegal to harbor runaways and I don't want to get anyone in trouble. It's just so stressful at home and I want to live somewhere else.

[ccsmod2]

re: I want to leave but I have nowhere to go

Hello,

Thanks for contacting us. It seems you're feeling fed up and are contemplating running away. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

Please remember you can reach us directly by calling our 24 hour hotline, 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or through our Live Chat which is open every day from 4:30p to 11:30p CST

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

hello.. Im 34 years old from dubai. I want to run away from my home. I cant stay with them more cause i have bad brother who always treat me bad and dont let me go out or do what i want to do. Sometimes he slap me and beat me up. If i have money i will never stay home. I want to go out. They makes me going crazy and i have no one to help me. What should i do. Me and my sister working at home like slaves. Please help me out.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like you are enduring more than anyone should ever have to go through at home.We are so sorry to hear that you are going through that. You so deserve to be treated respect, and to live free of violence. Unfortunately, our knowledge and expertise are limited to the United States so we are not really able to help. You might reach out to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children at 971-4-606-0300, they might be more help since they are local to you.

We truly wish you the best,

NRS

[Guest]

I want to leave my house beacuse I’m usless and nobody really wants me at the house either way, If i were to be in the streets I really don’t know what i would do since I’m only 15 and can’t get a job

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline. We understand that it takes courage to seek help. It sounds like you want to leave your house. You could try asking your guardian if they would allow you to stay with another family member or close friend. Another option that you have is contact CPS if you don't feel safe at home. We hope that this information helps, please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.

[Guest]

I'm 24 and live in Wichita, KS. My mother's emotional outbursts are getting more and more violent and I need out. Problem is I don't make enough to rent an apartment and I'm in the middle of getting my degree (online so dorms aren't an option). Are there living options for me? I've tried looking but the results I get are for abuse victims and homeless and it doesn't seem right to take resources from people that are worse off. I have no other family in the area and only one friend and she's not in a position to help aside from letting me use her kitchen. Right now my option is to live in my car. I just need a safe place to sleep. I can work out the rest on my own.Thank you.

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out. It sounds like you’re in a difficult situation and it takes a lot of courage to reach out for support. We are a youth crisis hotline, so we may not have a ton of resources in our database that are appropriate for 24-year-olds; that being said, often transitional living programs serve people up to 24 years old, so feel free to give us a call and we can try to find one for you. Another option is calling 211 (also known as the United Way) for local resources. One more option to try is hud.gov, which has housing resources available by city and state; there may be an agency near you that can help you figure out your next steps.
Finally, it’s really kind of you to think about others when you say “it doesn’t seem right to take resources from people that are worse off.” We want to let you know that you deserve to be in a situation that feels safe. It is not okay for your mom to get violent with you and it sounds like home is a scary place. These resources are meant for people just like yourself who are in a rough patch and need a safe place to go. Please remember that you deserve support no matter the relative severity of your situation.
Take care and good luck,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 16 and I just can't do it with my parents anymore I left home today, but I have nowhere to go I don't know what to do.

[ccsmod3]

Hi there,
Thank you for reaching out to NRS and sharing your situation. It sounds like things are very stressful at home right now with your parents. We at NRS are absolutely here to help in any way we can and along with that is making sure you have a safe place to stay. We can be reached online at www.1800runaway.org via our online chat or over the phone 24/7 at 1-800-786-2929 and have a large database of resources including youth shelters and support services. Another resource to try if looking for a shelter is www.homelessshelterdirectory.org or dialing 211 for shelters in your area. We are also here to discuss everything going on at home and provide any support we can. Another option to consider would be reaching out to trusted family members or family friends who may be able to help facilitate a conversation between you and you’re parents and provide you support.
We are here to help and hope to hear from you soon.

Best of Luck,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to runaway from home so bad but I have no where to go like ******** man nothings here for me anymore, I need something to make me happy and there is one person but she’s the only person I have left and I know some time sooner or later she’ll leave and I’ll have no one, you will never understand the pain I feel but please please give me advise on what to do, like don’t just tell me not to runaway I need advise on where to go and what to do, be a friend, not a anti-runaway website

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling us your story. It sounds like you are going through a very difficult time right now and we hope to be able to help. We want you to know that here at the National Runaway Safeline we don’t judge or tell you what to do. Our main concern is your safety and providing you with support and as much information as possible before you decide what is best for you. We will never know the pain that you are going through but we can understand what it must be like to feel like you are alone.

We’re not legal experts here at NRS. Generally it’s not illegal to leave home, but your parents could file a runaway report, the police could get involved, and they could bring you home. The people you’re staying with could potentially get charged with harboring a minor depending on how old you are and the state you are in. You could consider calling your local non-emergency police department to ask about their policies. We also have legal aid resources here if you have specific questions about the laws in your state.

If you don’t feel safe and feel like you need to get away Nationalsafeplace.org provides a safe location for you to meet a staff member who can take you to a designated place where you can discuss all options about how to stay safe. You can text 44357 the word “safe,” and your location to find a safe location in your area. Once you arrive let someone who works there know you need help connecting with a staff member. We can also look up local shelters for you to see if there are any available in your area if you needed a place to stay for a few nights.
Sometimes having someone to talk to about what is going on at home can be helpful. If you are in school talking to a school counselor could be helpful or if you wanted other resources in your area the National Alliance on Mental Illness can be a great resource to find support. They could be reached at 1-800-950-NAMI or NAMI.org.

One service we can offer is to conference call with your parents. This way you could have a conversation with your parents but you would not be alone. For example, it may be hard for you to explain to your parents how you’ve been feeling emotionally and why you want to leave. Sometimes those conversations go better in a conference call because we can advocate for you. If you want to reach us, you can chat with us anytime at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re here 24/7, and we are ready to listen and help however we can.

-NRS

[Guest]

I’m 19 and from North Carolina and I need a way out. My family feels like they have to hold my hand every step of the way and it’s driving me crazy. I’ve been ready to leave and start my life on my own for a long time now. But I have no housing situation while I get my feet on the ground. Not to mention because of their hand holding I’m rather lazy and have trouble doing basic things because they never taught me. I need someplace safe to go to and a place where I can learn basic things like driving and how to fold laundry properly. Please help.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thank you for reaching out today.

Sounds like you are looking for independence from your family and help with getting on your feet. without them. It's understandable that you are looking to learn basic stills.There may be social service agencies in your area that can help meet some of these needs, such as Transitional Living Programs, a kind of shelter where young adults can live and get services to help them transition to independent living. They generally help folks obtain a job, work on educational goals if you have them, and also with life coaching services to teach you how to live on your own. Please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat us at www.1800runaway.org if you are interested in those services.

We hope this information is helpful. Please contact us for those transitional living program resources.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

Sometime I feel like running away out from my parents house. I'm disable more like crazy my parents blamed everything to me. my sister bought a sack of weed & it was smelling ungly in my room so i throw it out from my house.. later they think i smoke it & i told them i throw it.my mom does trust me I'm her favorite she rather listen to my sister than me I told them i throw it they don't trust me at all I hate my life why did god give me a life I wish I was never be born. I can't go no where or have a girlfriend because my parents they are cock blocking me for everything So that's why I'm running away from home I wish I could tell this to grandma she will understand. But is to late rip grandma .. all my life I been put down by them my parent .. Do u think is better living with foster parents ....

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through a really difficult time, it must be hard to have your family not trust and believe you. One option is you could try talking to your family about why they do not believe you. At NRS we offer conference calling where if you call us we can call out to your parents and help you have that conversation. Conference calling allows you to be heard and we are there to mediate the conversation and provide support.
You mentioned hating your life and that you wish you were never born. We are sorry that you are feeling that way. We want you to know that you are valuable and worth living. There is always someone who is willing to listen and provide support. If you are ever feeling suicidal or just need someone to talk to you can call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at: 1800-273-8255.
You also mentioned wanting to run away from home, your safety is our top concern. We are not legal experts but we do have some knowledge about the laws. If you were to leave home without permission your parents do have the right to file a runaway report if you are minor. If the police do find you they would most likely bring you back home. If you need help looking for a shelter you can give us a call and we can help look for shelters in your area.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore your options more please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support to you. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

My friend is 18 and wants to get out of a difficult home life but can’t afford an apartment and has no one to stay with. Any suggestions that I could give her on somewhere she can go??

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for reaching out to us on behalf of you friend. We are sorry to hear that your friend is going through a difficult time right now and hopefully we can help. Some options you could consider would be programs like Job Corps and AmeriCorps. They are programs for young adults where you are provided food and housing and they also help them develop life skills and build their resume with work experience. You can look more into their programs at https://www.jobcorps.gov/ and https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps.

Another option would be looking into transitional housing. Transitional Living Programs (TLP'S) often provide things like housing, employment aid and counseling for young adults. You or your friend could give us a call and we can look for TLP’S in their area. We can also look for basic shelters in their area as well but these options are more short term.

If you would like to talk more about the details of your friends situation so that we can work towards a solution they would find acceptable please feel free to call our 24 hour hotline at 1-800Runaway (786-2929) or use our live chat. We hope this information was helpful and take care.

[Guest]

I'm 18 and I'm from South Carolina. If I had another choice then I wouldn't be picking leaving. I still live with my mom and step dad and I can't talk them without my step dad miss understanding. I feel trapped and sad and angry. I have no money, no job, and no where to go. I'm also suicidal and feel like I only have two options, runaway or kill myself. I'm so unhappy, I don't know what to do!

[ccsmod15]

Thank you so much for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you’ve been going through such a painful time. That seems exhausting and hurtful to not feel understood. That sounds stressful to have all these things going on and to feel that you don’t have many options. We want you to know that you are worth it, there is hope for you, and that we are here to support you and help you in any way we can.

If you ever feel that you are in danger of hurting or killing yourself, you could call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255; suicidepreventionlifeline.org) or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat with us online. If you ever feel that you are in danger, you could also call 911 for immediate help. It sounds like you have been struggling with these thoughts. If you want further information about mental health resources, you could check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); 1-877-726-4727; samhsa.gov; findtreatment.samhsa.gov/.

If you haven’t already, you could consider reaching out to a trusted adult, relative, worker/teacher/counselor at your school for help and support. You could also consider talking to your parents about how you’ve been feeling or having another trusted adult help you talk with them. Just so you’re aware, we have a conference calling service here where we could help mediate a conversation between you and your parents.

There are also many resources that could help you with anything else you may need. If you want to talk more about what’s been going on, or if you would like more information about resources, you can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat with us online.

Again, thank you for contacting us. It sounds like you’ve been going through a really hard time, but you’ve shown a lot of strength by working through these challenges and reaching out for help. If you ever need anything in the future, please feel free to call us or chat with us online. We’re always here to listen and here to help.

[Guest]

i'm 21 and i feel like i'm not good enough for my family and feel like they favor my 16 year old sister more than me..Its been like this for awhile now and i want to leave this house because of tired of it and im scared i might do something that might regret later..I have no job no money and no where to go...I don't feel safe going to religion ran homeless shelters because of my gender identification and sexuality.

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what’s been going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. It must be really hard to live in a home where you feel like you aren't being treated fairly. Leaving home is a big decision and it can be hard to determine what you want to do. It makes a lot of sense that you would have some trepidation about a faith-based organization that is traditionally that faith has not been welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Sometimes organizations that are affiliated with specific faith communities may not hold the same prejudices that others in that denomination so it may be beneficial to call them directly to see if they are LGBTQ+ friendly. You can check out the National Homeless Shelter Directory at https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/ to find other shelters in your area. You can also reach out to your local United Way by dialing 211 to see if they have any specific LGBTQ+ youth shelters in their database.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi. I am 20 years old. I live in Arizona. I feel right now that I am stuck between a rock and a hard place...I live in my boyfriends house with his family. I appreciate the space, and show my gratitude, but there is a lot of emotional abuse directed at me and threats by his dad. I can not confide in anyone, although at one point I did and it was like a knife was stabbed in my back, figuratively speaking. His dad has mental instability, takes pictures of us without us knowing and posts them online. This man doesn’t live with us, but it is really scary and anxiety inducing, especially knowing this guy posted pictures of his own daughter to porno sites.
I don’t know what to do...I have lived in my car before, but my car broke down. I am terrified of being on the streets. I feel I’m stuck and suffering. Please help me.

[ccsmod9]

Hello,

You mentioned some things that raise concern for your safety and well-being. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it. We are not experts on the issue, but generally once it's been reported, social services will either decide whether or not to take the case and further investigate. If they do take the case, they will send out someone from child protective services to do an investigation (interviewing people in the household) and from there they will decide the level of danger within the household. It generally ranges from no danger (the youth stays in the home, some services are given, and the case is closed), moderate danger (they will provide family services with possible temporary displacement) and high danger (they will remove the youth from the home and offer certain services).

If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering.

Please be safe and reach out soon by phone or chat so that we may help.
Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Sigh, hello, I'm from Brazil, I live in Ceará - Caucaia, and I am pleading for help.
My mother died, and my father moved us to my stepmother's home which was in Fortaleza. Years later we moved to Caucaia, as we couldn't pay rents anymore.
We built a small 4x4 home in an indian community, because my father found out my grandpa was indian. Well, we successfully managed to move, but the debts that came crashing down on them made us financially poor and limited.
I was an innocent child, I had no idea my father was involved with so many bad things about relationships. My stepmother is a great, sane person, I am proud to call her my mother.
But my father devalues her, he doesn't assume his mistakes, he always made my real mother cry, if I remember. He thinks we can't live without him, that without him we'd be dead in the future. And I'm angry at his assumptions, because HE LEFT HIS JOB, AND HES DEPENDING ON MY LOVELY STEPMOTHER FOR EVERYTHING WHILE STILL HUMILIATING HER. I HATE THIS. HE THINKS JUST BECAUSE I AM HIS DAUGHTER I HAVE TO AGREE WITH HIM, EVEN WHEN WRONG! NO! I WON'T! He always mentions that in the Bible you have to always obey your parents, forcing me to do it, but the fact is, I don't believe any bible, I follow what's right and what's wrong for humanity, but I am no atheist, I believe in God's existance.
Also, he always tries to expose our "mistakes", saying we're evil beings, when in fact, we're just being rational beings and recognizing what we can and can't do.
I am hopeless about him, he never changes, I waited THE YEARS OF MY LIFE'S STABLE CONSCIENCE for him to change, he doesn't.
My stepmother is planning to leave with my lovely, autist stepbrothers who I promised to my stepmother, my two stepsiblings and myself to take care of them for the rest of my life.
My point is, I don't want to suffer with his god darn irresponsibility and have a bad future with this man who I am genetically connected to. So I want to leave, but I have no idea where to go, and I don't think he'll ever let me live with my aunts, he's really possessive with us, and if I start opposing him further than I already am, I am sure he will beat me up.
He had many relationships, had many kids, betrayed so many times, and I think he only sees my true mother in me because I look exactly like her, but he never learns I am different from her, and different from him.
I can't tell anyone about this because they will speak directly to my father and he might tell I'm being crazy lying around and then punish me at home. That doesn't happen because my stepmother always steps up to defend me. Without her, I don't know what I'll become. If there is any way, I want her to adopt me, and she said she would do it gladly if it was possible, she even says that I can live with her once I turn into an adult, be independent enough to live in a home without my... "father".

I am 16, turning 17 in December 29th, an intelligent being who puts her effort in a high school, in the 10th grade, now grading to the 11th. I am hoping to have an independent life with my sweat.

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for contacting National Runaway Safeline. It seems like you are dealing with a difficult situation at home. Home should be a supportive place, and you and your family do not deserve your father’s poor treatment. Sharing your story is a good first step.

It sounds like your stepmother is a good support for you. Will you be able to keep in touch with her when she leaves? Are you able to start making a plan to move in with her once you reach the legal age of adulthood? Is there something you can do in the meantime? Reach out to friends, spend less time at home, etc.?

We are not legal experts here. Your safety is very important. If you ever feel in danger, 112 is the emergency number in Brazil for immediate assistance. For general inquiries to the police, call 197. They might be able to answer some of your questions about leaving home.

Child Help is the National Child Abuse Hotline in the United States. They provide information and resources about abuse. Their website is childhelp.org. They offer live chat services available 24/7.

Again, thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. If you would like to discuss your situation in further detail, we have a 24/7 chat option available. Go to 1800runaway.org , go to the chat icon, and click chat now. We are here to listen and to help.