Duckworth, Durbin Announce $1.6 Million for National Runaway Safeline
Press Release
U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $1,600,000 in federal funding today for the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), located in Chicago. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will assist the NRS in fulfilling its mission to keep runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the street.
"Every child should have access to a safe place to sleep at night, yet, far too many young Americans end up on the street with nowhere to go," said Duckworth. "The National Runaway Safeline is critical in helping youth in times of need, and this funding will bring us closer to our shared goal of keeping runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe. I will continue working with Senator Durbin to help make sure NRS and organizations like it get the necessary federal support to protect our children."
"Located in Chicago, the National Runaway Safeline has been a vital resource for youth in crisis across the country for more than 40 years," said Durbin. "I'm pleased to join Senator Duckworth in announcing this federal funding, which will help NRS continue its work providing assistance to runaway and homeless children and their families."
According to researchers at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, one in 10 young adults and one in 30 teens experience a form of homelessness in a given year. Duckworth and Durbin have been strong advocates in helping eliminate youth homelessness. Last year the Senate passed a resolution introduced by Duckworth and Durbin recognizing November as National Runaway Prevention Month to help raise awareness of the nationwide runaway and homeless youth crisis and educate the public on how to help end youth homelessness. Duckworth also visited NRS last year after introducing the resolution.
The NRS is a 24-hour communication system created to assist runaway and homeless youth as well as their parents or guardians. NRS offers various services and programs including prevention and educational materials as well as an array of free messaging services for at risk youth and their parents.
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