17 year old, nowhere to go. Help?

[Guest]

I’m looking for a place to live, I’m a teen that likes to work so I’m looking for opportunities.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at NRS. It sounds like you are looking for a safe place to stay as well as help with finding employment. We are happy to connect you with resources that might be able to help! Your options could depend on a few factors such as your age and current living situation.

One option could be to enroll in JobCorps. JobCorps is a residential program for teens and young adults which offers vocational training and support in finding a job (jobcorps.gov). Another possible option could be a transitional living program. Transitional programs can also provide a safe place to stay and support to help you work toward living independently. The goal of a transitional program is for you to find stable employment, finish school, and save up enough money to be able to rent your own apartment.

We can help you explore these options and locate local resources in your area if you reach out to us by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat at 1800runaway.org.

We look forward to hearing from you soon so that we can help,
NRS

[Guest]

im a 17 year old female, my mom wants me to leave. i have a job, I don't have a license yet, and I don't have much money saved up. she has all access to my money. I'm in Wickliffe ohio. i have no where to go or feel safe.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to write us here at NRS and we appreciate you sharing a bit about your situation. It sounds like your mom is asking you to leave home, but you are not prepared to live independently yet. Your mom has a legal responsibility to provide for you and ensure you are safe while you are a minor, so it is not okay that she is telling you to leave. We want you to know that you are not alone in this and we are here for you to listen and help as much as possible.

If your mom does ever kick you out or threaten you, you do have the option to report this to child protective services. You can call 911 if you are in need of immediate assistance.

In some areas there are youth shelters and transitional living programs which could be possible options for you. A transitional living program provides young people with a stable place to live and support while you work toward living independently.

We are available 24/7 for immediate support by phone at 1-800-786-2929 and through live chat at 1800runaway.org. If you would like to talk more in detail about your situation or you want to learn more about resources available in your area, please do not hesitate to reach out by phone or live chat.

Stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 17 and was kicked out and I've no place to stay I live in ****** Michigan are there any places where I could go to have a stable place to stay till I can get my own place?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

It looks like you might have contacted NRS today through another means (for example, live chat, email or bulletin) for the same issue. Thank you for contacting us. NRS understands it takes courage to reach out for help; therefore, we would like to minimize the need for you to repeat your situation and avoid offering you duplicate services. Please call or chat us again if your situation changes or if you have more questions or concerns, or if you need additional support. We are here for you: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org.

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 17 years old my parents don’t not want to help me Ive been kick out of my house about 5 times now no family member wants to help me and I have no where to stay I live in ********

[ccsmod3]

I’m 17 years old my parents don’t not want to help me Ive been kick out of my house about 5 times now no family member wants to help me and I have no where to stay I live in ********
-----
Thanks for reaching out to us here at NRS. We know it takes a lot of courage to reach out for support, and commend you for doing so. Still, we're sorry to hear that you've been kicked out of the house and have nowhere to go. You don't deserve that. If you're in need of immediate shelter, you can always contact us for help in finding local shelters. For now, the Homeless Shelter Directory (www.homelessshelterdirectory.org) might be a good starting point. You'll be able to pull up shelters in your location, as well as their contact information. Before going, it's a good idea to call first to make sure they have availability.

Again, if you need any support in finding local resources or in developing a plan, please reach out to us. We're available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY or by chat through our website: www.1800runaway.org.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

Im Struggling in school im a junior i dont want anything in life i just want to be alone And i left home a couple of weeks ago and its getting harder and harder, I want to sleep in a roof over my head not a bridge also i cant get a job because i have no car just an iD PLease help me im only 17

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at NRS through our public forum-it takes a lot of courage to do so especially during this difficult time. It can be very overwhelming to leave home at such a young age, and still go to school as well as think about getting a job in order to support yourself. Until you find a job as a means to support yourself, it might be helpful to reach out to a trusted family member or friend that could possibly take you in for some time. It may also be beneficial to talk to a trusted counselor or teacher at school to see if they have any resources for students that are trying to support themselves without the help of parents. In order to discuss more fully your options at this time as well as specific resources such as youth shelters, please do not hesitate to reach out to NRS directly at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or through live chat at 1800runaway.org.

We are here to help 24/7,
NRS

[Guest]

My parents want me to leave

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi im 17 years old and I'm from G*********. I have a car a job and an education but I won't have a home to live in soon where can i take showers at and how can I get my paychecks?

[ccsmod3]

Hey there. Thanks for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline. We know that it can take a lot of courage to reach out for support, and we're glad you took that step. We're sorry to hear that you won't have a home to live in soon, and it's understandable that you're concerned about where you'll be able to take showers or how you'll be able to get your paychecks. Because we don't know your exact situation or where you're located, we won't be able to answer your questions with specific information through this forum. That said, looking into transitional living programs might be an option for you based on your age. These programs generally help young adults with longer term (but not permanent) living accommodations, and may assist with food, job training, and other resources. You can often learn more about transitional living programs through shelters in your area. Shelters will also generally be able to provide you with access to showers, as well as place to stay.

If you'd like to discuss your situation in more detail or have some help finding a local shelter or transitional living programs, please feel free to reach out to us by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY or through our live chat at www.1800runaway.org. We're available 24/7 and are always happy to listen, and to help.

Take care.

NRS

[Guest]

Im 17 years old and homeless. It started when my step dad cheated on my mom then she went and cheated on him in a different state and afterwards for about 2 to 3 months they debated divorce so me and my 9 year old brother were scared it didn't happen luckily but in that time my step dad had called her all kinds of names and was violently drunk through the past 3 years and wpuld get aggressive towards my mom so I stepped in and stood up for her and ever since then we've had problems at home i have just been kicked out and I dont want to go to the police because she knows how to make me look bad and they won't believe me and I dont want to go back home and I dont know what to do please help? My email is *******

[ccsmod3]

Hey there. Thanks for reaching out to us here at NRS. We know that it can take a lot of courage to reach out for support, and we're glad you took that step.

It sounds like things have really been difficult for you lately, and we're sorry to hear that. You don't deserve to be kicked out and homeless, and legally, you should't be. Your parents have a legal responsibility to take care of you, and if they can't, to put arrangements in place to ensure that you're safe and taken care of. While we do understand your concerns around going to the police, that might be a good route to go to ensure your immediate safety is taken care of. You can also do this by going into a nearby hospital for immediate support, or by contacting your local Child Protective Services agency (CPS), who should respond fairly quickly if you do not have somewhere to go, though they might also encourage you to go to a nearby police station so that you're safe until they get there. If those are things that you're not open to at the moment, you can also consider staying with a family member or a friend, or staying in an emergency youth shelter.

If you'd like to chat in more detail about what's going on, talk through your options, or try and find some immediate support or referrals, please contact us directly by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY or by visiting our live chat at www.1800runaway.org. We're available 24/7 and are always happy to listen, and to help.

Take care.

NRS

[Guest]

14 years old, nowhere to escape. Help?

in a girl with a family having struggles and I have nowhere to go, I ran away once to my grandmothers house because my family refused to listen to what I had to say, or help me fix all the problems we have, but then my grandma just said it was because I was a teen and it’s what teens do. Then when my mother came to try and understand what I had to say and promised to listen to me from then on, it. Lasted 1 day before she went back to not hearing me. And I don’t know if I can spend one more day in that house with them but I have nowhere else to go, so I’m stuck. I just need a place to stay for a little do I can get a job, get emancipated, and live on my own without that kind of energy in my life.

[ccsmod0]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on with your mom. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
The easiest way to leave home is with your parents' permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button). If you would like to look into further emotional support options, you can text with a crisis worker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24/7 by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 17 I live with my boyfriend and he mom and our relationship have been very bad and he don’t want me here nomore. My mom don’t have nowhere for me to go. My mama live with her friend and her friend don’t want that many people at his house she already have 2 of my brothers. I don’t know where to go can somebody help me. I don’t want to be sleeping outside

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We’re sorry to hear that your relationship is going so poorly and that your living situation is becoming unstable. We would be happy to do our best to find somewhere else for you to go.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any specific referrals on our forum. However, we do have a database of runaway and homeless youth resources including short and long term shelters and we can share them 24/7 on chat at 1800runaway.org or over the phone at 1-800-786-2929. We also partner with Greyhound on a program called Home Free. We can help any youth in crisis between the ages of 12-21 get to a family member with whom they can live. Because you are a minor, we would need your mom’s permission to send you anywhere, but if there are any relatives that would be willing to take you in, we could potentially arrange for you to get a bus ticket to get to them. If that might be an option for you, you would have to call us on our phone line 1-800-786-2929 in order to begin the process.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us in order to continue this conversation and explore what services and resources might be available to you during this difficult time. Again, we are 24/7 and confidential at 1-800-786-2929 or 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

My mom kicked me out and none of my family wants me including my parents

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. Generally if you are a minor, your legal guardians cannot simply kick you out. They can be charged with neglect, you may be interested in reaching out to the police or Child Help, a hotline that’s helps youth who may be in harm. 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.
If you’re feeling unsafe and need a safe place to go and talk to someone, you may wish to visit The National Safeplace website (www.nationalsafeplace.org). This organization provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. You can look up your city and state to see if there are any safe places near you listed. So that is always an option if you feel like talking to someone in person about what has been going on or if you just need of a safe place to stay. You also may use your phone to text the word “safe” and your current location (city/state/zip) to 69866. If there are safe places and shelters nearby, a list of those will be sent to your phone and you may have the option to text back and forth with a trained counselor as well.

You can also reach out to us, we can try and help you find a shelter near you where you can stay. We hope this helps, please reach out if you have any questions.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I need help, I'm 17 years old and i have no where to go, my dad took off when i was 2 and my mom passed away last year, i have no one and nothing to help me, i got kicked out and i need help now, i dont wanna live on the streets

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing a little bit about what you are going through. We are sorry to hear that your mom passed away last year and that you have been kicked out of the home. Just so you know, a parent or guardian cannot legally kick their minor child (under 1 out of the home. That is considered neglect and you have the right to file an abuse report about what's going on. But it's your choice if you decide to report or not; we never tell anyone what to do. If you do decide to report you can do that through us or through www.childhelp.org (1-800-4224453).

You don't deserve to live on the streets and that is not your only option. We can try to find local shelters or transitional living programs for you if you call our 24 hour confidential hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us via the chat feature found at the top of our website: www.1800runaway.org. We hope to hear from you soon.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 16 and my father has verbally and physically abused me, cps was involved, but because of my moms false aligations against my dad in the past nothing was done. I’m scared to be home and I was thinking of running away with a very close family member, but I don’t want myself or them to face any charges or punishments. I need to find a way out and I’m lost and stuck pls help

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your parent or legal guardians permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your father. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Well No It’s Currently 11:29 hitting mid night so I don’t have anyone to turn to till the Morning and due to a few arguments at the home I have nowhere to go and my relationship with other family members aren’t to good as well

[ccsmod15]

Hello,

Thank you ever so much for reaching out to us. We are so sorry that things have gotten so challenging at home. It sounds like you are looking for a safe place to go and would like some support. Although we cannot tell you what to do, we will do our best to share information that may help you figure out your next steps.

We are not legal experts, but from what we understand, if you are considered a minor in your state, it is likely that you will need the consent of your parent or legal guardian to leave home. If you leave without consent, your parent or legal guardian can file a runaway report with your local police department. Each police department decides how to approach runaway reports, but if you are found, you would either be returned home or your parent/legal guardian would have to pick you up. If you feel that it is best to leave and other family members are not a good option, it may help to see if there is a friend that would be ok with you staying there. If this is not an option, organizations like The National Safeplace, available at www.nationalsafeplace.org , might be able to support you. By visiting their website, you can explore whether there are any safe places near you. You can also use your phone to text the word 'safe' and your current city/state/zip code to 69866. If there are safe places and shelters nearby, a list will be sent to your phone and you may have the option to text back and forth with a trained counselor as well. If you would like to explore additional options, please feel free to reach out to us.

Whatever you decide, know that we are here to support you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon. We are available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button). If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I have nowhere to go