Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month is a public awareness campaign which aims to bring greater attention to youth homelessness. The campaign is spearheaded by the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), with support from the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) and hundreds of partner organizations and youth nationwide.
The campaign aims to:
- Raise awareness of youth homelessness and the importance of preventing and reducing factors contributing to runaway incidents and youth homelessness.
- Educate the public about how local communities and systems of care can work together to address youth homelessness.
- Increase visibility of available services and resources for youth in crisis.
Youth Homelessness
- Approximately 4.2 million youth ages 13–25 experience some form of homelessness in the U.S. each year, with marginalized groups such as Black and parenting youth facing higher rates.
- Most youth do not become homeless by choice. The causes are complex and not due to a single incident or issue.
- Many factors contribute, including poverty, foster care gaps, neglect at home, lack of affordable housing, and racial discrimination.
- Youth experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of physical, mental, and emotional illness, assault, and suicide.
How can PREVAIL help?
PREVAIL offers safety, refuge, and mentoring to at-risk youth throughout the county. We provide emergency shelters where youth experiencing homelessness can seek immediate support, a transitional living program where young adults receive supportive housing while transitioning to independence, a basic-needs center with meals, clothing, laundry, showers, mail, hygiene and first-aid supplies, clinical services, and substance-use counseling among other wrap-around supports.
Learn More About Our Youth ServicesHow to Get Involved?
Green Light Project
Green is the color for Youth HOPE Awareness Month. This November, display green lights at your facility to shine a light on the experiences of youth at risk and impacted by homelessness.
Please email Elizabeth Sanchez at
Light Up the Night Mixer
Join us on Wednesday, November 5 at Stanislaus State College, Stockton Campus (612 E. Magnolia St., Stockton, CA 95202) from 5:00 – 7:00 PM to show your support and light up the night in honor of youth facing homelessness.
We’ll provide glow sticks! Stop by for food, snacks, music, art, and a free thrifting closet!
This event is presented in collaboration with the Child Abuse Prevention Council and Stanislaus State College.
Join Green Day
Wear green, the color of Youth HOPE Awareness, on November 13 and share a photo using #PREVAIL, #YouthHOPE2025, and #weargreenday.
Attend a Game with a Purpose
Follow us on social media to learn about the sports teams playing with green shoelaces in support of Youth HOPE 2025 — join a game and take a stand!
Other Ways You Can Help
- DONATE: Support PREVAIL’s shelters and services. Donate Now
- CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for news, tips, and resources. Share posts with #PREVAIL #YouthHope2025 #GreenLightProject #LightUptheNight2025.
- SPREAD THE WORD: Invite us to speak at your organization. Request a Presentation.
- NEED HELP? Talk to someone at our 24-Hour Youth Crisis Helpline at (209) 948-1911.