‘Go Green’ in support of our youth

To the editor:
Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away in a year.
If all of these people lived in one city, it would be the fifth largest city in the United States.
These numbers are unacceptable, particularly when we consider the fact that many of these young people will end up on the streets. Some may become involved in human trafficking and others may couch surf. Either way, they find themselves in a lonely and vulnerable place, often times invisible to others and therefore invisible in our community. The reality is many of these youth engage in wrongful and risky behaviors to survive or to cope.
These children and youth are more than what ‘meets the eye.’ There are stereotypes about runaways and youth experiencing homelessness, many of which are incorrect. Their stories are complex and the situations these youth are trying to escape are beyond what many of us can comprehend.
Often these children are unjustly labeled as “less than” or “problems,” and then, are treated as such.
Yet, we know, that with intervention and support these young people can become some of the most resilient, creative and productive members of our society. Investment in them not only saves lives and increases productivity; it provides the added benefit of reducing long-term medical costs and those expenses associated with incarceration.
Without your faith and support, these opportunities are lost. We need you. They need you.
We ask that you show your support of all our young people by wearing green on Thursday. We at the Youth Service Bureau will be doing so. Please join us.
You will also notice (during the month of November) green lights at our properties: 422 W. Race, 406 W. Arch and 603 W. Arch in honor of children and youth. If you are so inclined, choose to ‘Go Green’ and light up your porch with a green light in November.
Respectfully,
Reda Theurer-Miller
Youth Service Bureau