At the mall or in classrooms, these young people look no different than any others, but throughout Minnesota there are thousands of homeless youths roaming the streets with no place to call home at night. They used to be called “runaways” but bringing them back home is not the answer for most of these youths.
According to a recent statewide survey of homeless people in Minnesota, conducted by the Wilder Research Center, for most youths, going back to live with their parents is not a viable solution. Their homeless plight started as a result of their parents. Fearing their chemically dependent or physically or sexual abusive parents, many youths would rather endure the life on the streets than return home. Many have already lived in foster care, detention or treatment centers.
Dave Eha, a 21-year-old homeless youth for the last six months said, “For many out here, it isn’t like a choice. You would hear all the time how someone was molested or physically abused. Many of the kids are forced to become homeless or else live in an abusive situation.”
The Wilder Research report found that homeless kids were:
- Five times more likely to have been treated for alcohol or drug problems, although homeless youths are half as likely to report current use of alcohol.
- More than three times more likely to have been hit by a date or intimate partner.
- Three times more likely to have been physically abused
- For girls, 20 times more likely to have been pregnant; for boys 10 times more likely to have had a sexual relationship that resulted in pregnancy.
- Youth of color are three to four times more prevalent among the homeless.
On any given night in Minnesota there are 500 to 600 homeless youths, ages 8 to 17 living on the streets, according to the Wilder study. In addition nearly 3,000 children are on the streets with their parents. The average age when they first begin to live on their own is 13 years.
“But I think these numbers are inaccurate because kids are staying with friends and bouncing around all over the place,” said Dave. “Even I was homeless for a few months before I got involved in a program. Many are ashamed about their situation. I wanted to provide for myself, but couldn’t. Finally I had to come down from my high horse and accept help.”
Rich Wayman, Collaborative Director of Street Works located in Minnesota agreed that it is difficult to get the exact numbers for youths who are homeless because they are ashamed of their situation, and many do not openly admit they are homeless. At the same time, most of these kids are not responsible for the circumstance they are in.
“It’s difficult to be sure we have a clear picture of homelessness in greater Minnesota because much of the problem tends to be invisible,” said Greg Owen, a Wilder research project director. “There are not many shelters, and people are more likely to be couch-hopping, sleeping in a car or in abandoned buildings, or in other temporary sleeping arrangements.”
Stable housing, food and a job are the primary needs for homeless youths to get off the streets. But housing availability is usually only temporary, food sources are sporadic and jobs are just something homeless kids need but can’t get.
“Transitional housing is by far the biggest transitional need for homeless youth. Not only are there less than 10 percent of shelter beds available for the homeless, but there is usually a 30 day limit. Without transitional housing, they are forced to return to the streets,” said Wayman.
On top of the list of needs for homeless youth is food. “If you don’t eat, you can’t even start to take the steps to make changes. When you are homeless, the environment takes a huge toll on your body when you’re tired and hungry,” said Dave. “While you know you need a job to get food, it is hard to get hired under such duress. Who wants to hire someone hungry, tired and dirty?”
StreetWorks, one of several programs that offers homeless youths help provides an array of housing options and services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, drop-in centers, meal sites, clothing, HIV/STD prevention, medical care, mental health counseling, alcohol and chemical dependency treatment, employment opportunities, educational programs, and life skills programs.
Outreach workers at StreetWorks canvass the streets everyday carrying what has become known as the “green bag” that amongst other things is filled with food vouchers, bus tokens, condoms, snacks and toothpaste. While providing basic needs, workers build trusting relations with youth and can immediately connect them with a wide range of services.
Homeless youth benefit from programs which meet their immediate needs first, then help them address other aspects of their lives. These programs minimize institutional services and offer a range of services have had success in helping homeless youth regain stability.
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