November is Homeless and Runaway Youth Awareness Month (HYAM). Help raise awareness about youth homelessness.

Homeless and runaway youth are deeply in need of resources and opportunities but do not always have access to those resources.

1 in 10 young adults ages 18-25, and at least 1 in 30 adolescents ages 13-17, experience some form of homelessness over the course of a year. It is estimated that, nationwide, there are over 4,000 youth experiencing homeless every night; coming from every life circumstance and sharing an experience of home environments that are unsafe and unhealthy.

To make a positive impact, families and communities must understand the dynamics and challenges that contribute to youth homelessness and secure access to opportunities and resources that could lead youth to safe, healthy, and stable pathways.

The Healthy Relationships Group (HRG) is a fun, interactive educational program designed for school-aged youth (12 – 20 years of age). HRG focuses on helping youth navigate complicated social issues, such as:

• Bullying
• Personal Relationships
• Peer and Dating Violence
• Substance Use
• Other High-Risk Behaviors

Homeless Youth Awareness Month (HYAM) is held throughout the month of November as a way to bring awareness and help at-risk, runaway and homeless youth. We ask YOU, our community, to unite in our work to end youth homelessness because we cannot do it alone.

Violence. Fear. Panic… the dangerous realities women, men and children face when fleeing abusive relationships. In many cases, the only time to flee is when the abuser is not home – opportunities that often arise late at night or early in the morning when there is no public transportation. In cases such as these, Women’s Center-Youth and Family Services provides fleeing victims with transportation to the refuge and safety of a shelter.

"Changing Lives. Restoring Hope." produced by Daly Video Services in the spring of 2016, highlights 40 years of the agency's commitment to help end violence and youth homelessness in San Joaquin County.

In the spring of 2014, Women's Center-Youth & Family Services, in collaboration with Judith Buethe Communications launched the media campaign, "Some Problems are too big to Face Alone." The billboard and RTD bus ads are currently being featured throughout San Joaquin County. The campaign started April 14, 2014 and will run through July 20, 2014 and feature compelling images in association with our 24-hour helpline numbers. This campaign is designated to let the community know of our services for homeless youth and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Preview some of the billboards below:

Did you know that more than 39 percent of the homeless are 18 years and younger? Join us on November 13 for the premiere of the documentary "Left Behind," a film by Shane Williamson that chronicles the lives of San Joaquin County homeless youth, shown in support of Homeless and Runaway Youth Awareness Month.