17 year old, nowhere to go. Help?

[Guest]

I'm a 17 year old girl and my mom wants to move to Mexico because of some financial stuff that's been going on my stepdad left us and hasn't paid the mortgage since December he hasn't been seen in 4 days and isn't planning on coming back, I don't wanna move to Mexico I wanna stay in the U.S. but I need a place to stay I'll be 18 soon but I need a place to stay if my mom does decide to move to Mexico my older sister said I cant because her apartment is a one bedroom so I don't know what to do now.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us and sharing a little bit about what's going on. We'd like to help, but probably need to fill in some details to see how we can assist. The best thing to do going forward would be for you to contact our 24 hour confidential hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us via the chat button on our website: www.1800runaway.org. We can talk and help you figure out what your best options are going forward. We hope to hear from you soon!

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m a17 year old I’m a different state than my parents and I need help getting a place to live and a job

[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]

17, 3 cats, nowhere to go.

hi I’m 17 and I’m stuck in an abusive household with my mom, she drinks a lot and I just found out the father I’ve never met has been arrested for murdering and torturing someone in 2019. If I leave I can’t leave my pets behind, or they’ll have no where to go too. I’m originally a 4.00 student but that’s all going tdown the drain as I’m mentally deteriorating and considering giving up on school. All I know is I can’t be in this house any longer. I’ve started skipping my meds and as of this moment I feel if I hear my moms voice one more time I may act on my suicidal thoughts, or impulsively run with no destination or place to go. I’m stuck. I have nothing I can do.

[ccsmod7]

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. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned experiencing abuse and suicidal thoughts. 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. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.orgis also a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.

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.

If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.or[/url] (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best.

National Runaway Safeline
[email protected] (Crisis Email)
1-800-RUNAWAY (24 Hour Hotline)

[Guest]

I’m 17 and my parents are fighting and I can’t stay, I live in Hamilton, Ontario and I have no clue who to call or what to do, I can work but I don’t think anyone will take me.

[ccsmod0]

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help. The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community-based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. If you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: https://www.childhelplineinternation...pline-network/.

We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

[Guest]

Im 17, my dad kicked me out and doesn't want me back, he sent me to a mental hospital and I get out in 4 days but after my 4 days is up I have nowhere to go, what do I do

[ccsmod10]

Thanks for reaching out, it sounds like you've been in a situation that can be anxiety-inducing or scary. We'll help as best we can, and you can reach out to us again at 1-800-RUNAWAY or 1800runaway.org for more guidance any time.

In your situation, you may want to see if the hospital you're at has a social worker / case worker, or 'youth services' expert you can talk with. If so, they can advocate for you and be a guide/ally for where to go specifically.

If not, there are programs in the US that fall under an umbrella called 'MINS/CHINS' or Minors/CHildren In Need of Services. They are different for each state, so you could either search for your state + MIN/CHIN yourself and reach out to the number you find, or you could contact us again with your state and we can find it for you. If you live chat or call us, we can also call on your behalf and/or conference call with you and them.

They can link you to services / a place to go when you're discharged.

If for some reason you don't have success with that, you can contact Child Protective Services for your state, letting them know you don't have a home to go to and need to be placed somewhere else. Like above, you can look that up and contact yourself, or let us know what state you're in and we can do so with you.

Lastly, you might be able to contact your local law enforcement and let them know about the situation. They might be willing to escort you home (if that's what you want), since your dad still has legal custody of you.

Please stay safe and reach out any time for more assistance.

[Guest]

Hi I'm 17 I've been living with a friend since I was 15 and my guardian doesn't want to give me birth certificate of anything so I can get a job. Now the friend I've been leaving with wants me to leave and I have nowhere to go

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out; we are glad that you did. It sounds like you have been living with a friend for about 2 years and also that you are trying to get a job, but without your documents you can't do that, but your guardian isn't giving them to you. And now, your friend wants you to leave, but you have no where to go.

This all sounds very stressful and awful, and we are sorry you are going through this. You don't deserve it. The hard part is that as a minor, a shelter would require your guardian's consent for you to stay. One thing we can offer is our Message Service. You call us and we work with you to help you craft a message to your guardian asking for your documents, maybe, or consent for you to go to a shelter. It's your choice and we can help you talk it over. Then later, we deliver the message and ask for a response. You call us back, pick up your response from them. Then maybe you'd want to do a conference call through us.
What we do hope is that you will reach out to us through one of our live services. For message service or conference call, you would have to call our hotline at 1-800-786-2929 or to learn more about these services or to talk over your situation, you can chat us through our website.
We truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello I’m 17 and I’m going through stuff situation right now I left my mothers house 7 months ago and have been hopping around from family members house I left her house because she’s with a guy who puts his hands on me and because she rather choose a man over me she’s very controlling and keeps me in the house 24/7 so I left and never went back well I don’t know what else or who to contact to get help because I have no other family to live with my father is a drunk I’m only a junior and not currently enrolled so if I could get help that would be great I really don’t wanna be homeless.

[ccsmod16]

Hi there,
Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). It takes a lot of courage. It sounds like things are very hard right now, and we are sorry to hear that being in your mom’s home was so difficult. You definitely don’t deserve to have anyone be physical with you like that, and we are glad you are safe.

In terms of options, there are emergency shelters and also more permanent transitional living programs that enable someone to have the proper living environment to get support and eventually transition to living on their own. If these options are something you are interested in, we can help you find places near where you are. Another resource, regarding your education, is the National Center for Homeless Education Helpline (1-800-308-2145) who can help provide support for school.

If you would like to talk in more detail, please contact NRS either by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chatting online through 1800runaway.org. We can help you work through some options.

We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I have a friend that’s 17 years old she stays in ***** , her mom is kicking her out because she “doesn’t want her there” but she’s only 17 with a 1 year old son and she needs somewhere to stay because she doesn’t want to be on the streets with her baby during this tough time. Please help her

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out on behalf of your friend. We would like to help your friend, but can't do that from this public forum. We work best when we can have a conversation to try to help they youth discover their options.

The short answer here is that mom is not allowed to kick out a minor, so calling her state's CPS is the formal solution. So we hope she can either chat us thRough this website, or call our hotline at 1-800-786-2929 (1-800-RUNAWAY) so we can assister her.

We truly hope to hear from her soon
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

After reading all these messages, i've decided being at home under my moms toxic and overprotective, unbearable care is not the best but, things could be worst. My mom said I had to leave the house because she cant take it anymore. She is considering putting me into a boys home. I struggle with mental health and I think people are out to get me. I want to pack all my stuff and litterally walk where I wish. But the thought of how long will my shoes last me strikes my mind all the time, or where will I get my next meal? Will I end up asking people for money? I don't have much meat on my body so I wont survive long without adequate food. I'm considering all my options right now. I've already spoken to NRS via Live chat. HELP ME

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline. It seems like there is a lot going on at home right now that feels both overwhelming and unbearable. You’ve mentioned wanting to leave, but also seem to be questioning how safe running away truly is. All of the concerns you have presented are valid and definitely important to think about before deciding to leave. We know that you’ve chatted with us before, but it could be really helpful to reach out again and speak more directly about some of the concerns you’ve mentioned and what your safest options may be moving forward. We won’t be able to give you all of the answers, but we will try our best to support you in this challenging time whether that is through finding local resources or just giving you a safe space to talk things out. We are available 24/7 either via our hotline (1800RUNAWAY (786-2929)) or our live chat (1800runaway.org).

We really hope to hear from you soon.

Stay Safe,

NRS

[Guest]

Hi I'm a 13 year old female and my mom mental and physical abuses me

[ccsmod15]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS. We’re sorry to hear about the mental and physical abuse from your mom that you are experiencing. We are here to listen to you, so please call us at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us through this website and we can help you think through possible options that may exist, such as filing an abuse report given the physical abuse that is occurring. We work better when we can have a conversation with you and better understand your situation.  We truly hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi i am 17 years old i dont feel safe returning to jobcorps nor my adopted parents home i don't feel safe returning to jobcorps because i was sexually assulted and there is a lot of bullying at jobcorps i dont feel safe returning to my adopted parents home because there is a lot of physical and Verbal abuse,however i did tell the police when i got sexually assulted at jobcorps annd my adopted parents is under investigation however jobcorps is my only option i tryed contacting my DCS investigator she just said she has to talk to her supervisor however i am finding out that i have to return to jobcorps tomorrow or wednesday but i really dont feel safe returning to jobcorps because it is very tramatic and it just reminds me of my past life and after me being sexually assulted it is very a hard place to live i cant go back to my adopted parents and i dont feel safe returning to jobcorps and i know if i dont feel safe at jobcorps I know i may runaway if i fear my safety please help is there any suggestions please reach back as soon as you can thank you

[ccsmod3]

Hi thank you for reaching out. That sounds like a very stressful situation and both adoptive parents and jobcorps does not sound like safe living situations. It is absolutely understandable to not want to return somewhere that you were sexually assaulted, we are sorry that happened to you. It also sounds like you had reached out to DCS and it could be helpful to follow up with them or maybe another report needs to be made. You deserve to have a safe place where you can live and not have to fear any type of abuse. We are here to help and support as best as we can, so if you would like to talk more about this or some possible options, please either call our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat us online at 1800runaway.org. We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS