“I couldn’t take it anymore, the abuse, and you know, the other stuff. So, I ran away.”
Real homeless teens in Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face.
Every year in America, 1 in 30 teens, age 13 to 17,
will experience homelessness.
And 1 in 3 will be lured into prostitution – within 48 hours of leaving home.
Vulnerable. Scared. Hungry. Broke. With nowhere safe to go.
Who are the homeless teens trying to survive on our streets?
Every night, thousands of homeless teens hide in the shadows - runaways from domestic violence and abuse. Huddling in abandoned buildings, under park benches or behind dumpsters in alleyways. Reaching out to strangers or digging through trashcans for their next meal. Facing unimaginable dangers on the street. Wondering how they’re going to live - or even if they deserve to.
Teens run away from highly unstable and dangerous situations in their home. A parent’s addictions or past traumas may ignite violence and abuse. A disruptive family crisis may cause abandonment, neglect or abuse. Poverty may be linked with discrimination and violence.
90% are from fatherless homes
75% are female
Up to 40% are LGBTQ+
“While I am living on the street, I figure everything I endure is at least my choice. I have more autonomy. At home, I am being traumatized with no control.” - Olivia, age 16**
Abuse
Often fearing for their lives, the majority of teens run away to escape from physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse.
46% have been physically abused
38% have been emotionally abused
17% have been sexually abused
“My father used to do awful things to me. He…he used to beat me a lot. And other stuff. I was scared he was going to kill me.” - Sheila, age 15*
Family Financial Hardship
Poverty and/or unexpected financial challenges - a family break up; job loss; incarceration, injury, illness or death of a parent; or lack of affordable housing - often lead to teen homelessness. Teens may be separated from their struggling family due to shelter policies, the dangers on the street or because parents can no longer support them.
“About two months ago, [my mom] told me…‘You’re the oldest. I can’t afford you.... Pack up your things. I’m sorry, you have to go.’ Go where?” - Dana, age 16*
Gender Identity & Racial Discrimination
Between 20-30% of LGBTQ+ teens endure discrimination in their homes, at school and in their communities solely because of their gender identity. Often violent, this relentless abuse forces LGBTQ+ teens to run away to the streets - where they continue to face discrimination and abuse.
120% higher risk of being homeless after coming out to their families
“I came home from school one day, and [my parents] were sitting on the couch. They said, ‘Sit down.’ The whole thing was about how I had to either be straight, or I had to go. Or they were gonna put me on lockdown, and I could just stay in my room and be gay, but not act on it.” - Daniel, age 17***
Racial discrimination often limits opportunities for employment, education and support services. When combined with other challenges in the home and the legal system, these factors often lead to teen homelessness.
People of color experience homelessness at disproportionately higher rates
Black youth have the highest rate of running away
Native American youth have more than double the risk
Child Welfare System Exit
35% of teens face homelessness after leaving child welfare programs, emphasizing the critical need for transitional programs and support as prevention. 20% of youth who “age out” of foster care on their 18th birthday become homeless - often before they graduate from high school. No diploma. No home. No way to support themselves.
Mental Illness
Teens might choose to run away, or be kicked out, due to mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD or schizophrenia - which are often undiagnosed.
57% of homeless teens have serious mental health issues
Substance Abuse
Alcohol or drug abuse among teens can lead to homelessness - when parents can no longer take the behaviors and kick them out or they leave on their own due to their addiction.
28-87% of homeless youth use/abuse drugs and alcohol
Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face*
Kicked Out***
Most teens leave home suddenly:
“I shove essentials, like my homework, sheet music, and phone, into my book bag, deciding I have endured the abuse too long. When I glimpse my father’s scrubs reappear…I run.” - Martha, age 17**
Instantly, every moment is consumed by their search for food and a safe place to sleep. Unprepared for life on their own, the reality of their decision hits hard: “Can I make it on my own?”. With each passing day, homeless teens discover how limited their survival options are - which takes a devastating toll on their emotional, physical and mental health!
How do I protect myself? Who can I trust?
Already suffering from low self-esteem, anxiety and betrayal, homeless teens end up in a world that may be more terrifying and dangerous than the one they left behind.
“How do I survive without others knowing I am homeless?”
“How do I keep my stuff from being stolen?”
“How do I protect myself from being attacked or worse?”
Where will I sleep tonight?
Legally, homeless teens cannot stay in shelters as “unaccompanied minors.” And depending on where they live, teen-specific shelters are either difficult to find, fill up fast or require consent from a parent or guardian.
Options for warm, safe places to sleep become limited to couch surfing with friends; hanging out in public buildings and 24/7 diners (until told to leave); camping out in a car, tent or abandoned building; or, as a last resort, hooking up with strangers - often in exchange for sex or other illegal activities.
Unfortunately, many teens end up living outside on the street. For protection from the elements, they "live" in parking garages or stairwells; in alleys and under bridges; or in parks and vacant lots. And they are always at risk of being told to leave, reported to child protective services, or targeted by traffickers.
How do I support myself?
Without a reliable source of money, homeless teens cannot buy food, clothes, a bus ticket or a phone. They can beg for money from relatives, friends or strangers; stand in line for free meals; and dig through donation bins - relying on the generosity of others for their next meal or shoes. Soon, they may shoplift snacks, coffee creamers and condiments; and dig through trashcans for half-eaten leftovers. As their situation becomes even more desperate, they may resort to stealing, dealing drugs or prostitution.
How do I keep myself and my clothes clean? Where do I go to the bathroom?
It only takes 2-3 days to become filthy and repulsive to others. Homeless teens will use bathrooms in gas stations, 24/7 food marts, fast food restaurants and public buildings for their personal needs. They may use the sink to bathe or wash socks and underwear, and “borrow” extra toilet paper, soap and paper towels. If a public restroom isn’t available, they must relieve themselves behind a bush or dumpster, or in the corner of the abandoned building where they “live.”
How can I attend school and complete my high school education?
Legally, homeless teens have the right to attend public schools to complete their education. However, without a safe place to live, nourishing food, clean clothes, running water, reliable transportation, and the ability to study, attending school is a challenge. Without a high school diploma, opportunities for employment and higher education are greatly diminished, trapping teens in the vicious cycle of poverty and homelessness.
75% of homeless teens have or will drop out of school.
The streets are dangerous and unpredictable. Without a safe place to live and a caring adult to trust, homeless teens are at a higher risk for physical abuse, sexual exploitation, pregnancy, mental illness, substance abuse and death. They are more likely to suffer poor health, drop out of school, become involved in criminal activity and commit suicide.
“You know, I always thought things were bad at home …. But, it was even worse on the street. I mean, everyone was drunk or drugged out. And they all wanted something …. You know what I mean? I don’t think I was ever, even for a second, NOT scared when I was on the street.” - Kathleen, age 17*
Physical Abuse
More than 60% of homeless teens report being raped, beaten, robbed or otherwise assaulted while living on the street.
62% of LGBTQ youth
47% of non-LGBTQ youth
19% beaten with an object
Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
Homeless teens are a prime target for sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, a “street culture industry” infused with violence and dangerous drugs.
1 in 3 teens on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home
20% of runaway and homeless teens are survivors of human trafficking
Up to 68% of teens will be trafficked
LGBTQ+ and former foster youth are trafficked at higher rates
21-42% are sexually abused while homeless
“Survival sex” - consensually trading sex for basics: - 82% for money - 48% for food or shelter
Criminal Activity
Homeless teens are more likely to commit, and be arrested for, “survival acts” - shoplifting, sleeping in public, begging, breaking curfew or running away - as well as for more serious crimes, such as drug dealing and prostitution. A criminal record makes it more difficult to find employment post-incarceration, and without employment, these youth often end up homeless.
46% have been in a juvenile detention facility or jail
38% sell drugs, primarily marijuana
High-Risk Behaviors
Homeless teens who engage in high-risk behaviors are more likely to remain homeless and be more resistant to change. These risky behaviors include unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, intravenous drug use and alcohol abuse - resulting in higher rates of STDs and AIDs.
29% report having substance use issues
6-22% of girls are/will become pregnant
Mental and Physical Health
Because they have difficulty trusting anyone, homeless teens may experience severe anxiety, depression and illness. To cope with the emotional traumas and physical hardships, they may rapidly resort to high-risk behaviors, self-harm and even suicide.
69% suffer with mental health problems, like depression, anxiety and conduct disorders, PTSD
An estimated 5,000 die each year as a result of assault, illness, substance abuse or suicide
3x more likely to attempt suicide - the leading cause of death among unsheltered minors
Higher rates of self-harming behaviors
69% have substance abuse disorder
50% are obese, yet malnourished, from fast food and shelter meals
Higher risk of flu and pneumonia
20x more likely to contract tuberculosis
Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face*
Because homeless teens may prefer to “fly under the radar” - out of defiance, humiliation and/or fear - identifying them as homeless can be incredibly difficult. However, whether in school or on the streets, a teen experiencing homelessness will exhibit certain behaviors and signs.
“With only my backpack that held my toothbrush, my toothpaste, a pair of jeans and my work clothes, and a bar of soap, I left and I became homeless.” - Khalisa, age 16**
To recognize the warning signs, observe and listen - with respect and empathy:
School Related
Erratic Attendance Patterns
Frequent absences
Chronically late
Leaves school early or skips classes
Unable to contact parents or guardian
Enrollment Issues
Registered and unenrolled in many schools in various locations
Changes schools frequently
Inconsistent stories about living arrangements
Lacks Proper Records
Can’t locate personal identification
Missing or incomplete medical records
No permanent address
In-Class Performance
Lacks basic school supplies
Lacks skills to stay organized
Little-to-no interaction with classmates
Inattentive, may fall asleep during class
Unable to focus, complete coursework or special projects
Never participates in activities that require items from home
Never participates in group projects outside of school
Can’t attend field trips or special events
Extra-Curricular Activities
Withdraws from school sports, clubs and activities
Can’t pay fees
If participating: - Declines ride home after school OR - Parent never attends or picks up student
Behavioral Changes
Erratic shifts in mood, from increased aggression to severe anxiety
Defensive - wants to/always in fights
Suddenly disrespectful
Sudden outbursts – cussing, crying, screaming
Seeks immediate gratification
Extremely possessive of personal belongings and backpack
Sudden panic attacks
Depressed
Excessively shy
Avoids eye-contact
Extremely apologetic
Hoards or steals food
Starts/increases use of drugs or alcohol
Secretive
Withdraws from peers and teachers
Avoids discussions about home life, family or personal circumstances
Won’t disclose current address or parent(s) phone number
Uses school phone and/or Internet on a regular basis
Poor Personal Hygiene & Health
Body, hair, teeth and clothes not consistently clean
Uses locker rooms and bathrooms for washing self and clothes
Lacks feminine personal hygiene products
Uncombed, untrimmed hair
Personal Belongings
Clothing not in good condition
Wears same clothes or rotates dirty clothes
Wears clothing inappropriate for the weather
Backpack is filled with clothes and basic personal care items
Physical Signs
Stress-related symptoms: stomachache, headache, bowel issues, muscle/back pain
Chronically sick with cold or flu
Excessive weight loss or gain
Exhausted: always tired or falling asleep
The Soft Connection Approach
If there is a teen you suspect or know is homeless, you must “meet them where they are” with compassion and respect. Homeless teens are traumatized by the abuse, betrayal and neglect they suffered from adults - in their homes and on the street - so learning to trust what any adult says or does or offers requires love and patience. You must connect with them in their space, where they feel as safe and in control as possible - not pressured, cornered or judged.
“Why would I trust people I [don’t] know when everyone who was supposed to be there and take care of me [hurt me] or left?” - Randall, age 16**
The “soft connection” approach builds a healthy relationship between the homeless teen and school and shelter staff, based on the teens’ comfort level and the adults’ consistent, reliable and patient presence:
Listen with love, respect and acceptance
Offer encouragement and guidance
With on-going input from the teen: - Establish safe boundaries - Set realistic expectations
As volunteers and donors, the community helps both the homeless teens and staff through funding teen-specific shelters and programs, and providing needed items, such as:
Personal care: food, clothing, basics
Health: medical, dental, vision; personal (glasses, haircuts)
School/Job support: money, transportation, phone cards
In Schools
The public schools’ LEA liaison (Local Educational Agency) is trained to identify, enroll and support homeless students. LEAs play a crucial role in coordinating resources to help these students succeed academically, while building trust and relationship. Homeless teens may learn about LEAs and available services from friends, teachers, counselors, articles in school newsletter publications and the school website.
With the LEA, homeless students connect with a caring adult as their “safe harbor” and guide through the support services and programs, including:
Bus tickets for transportation
Pre-paid phone/cards
School nutrition programs
Clothing
Laundry facilities
Waive school fees
School supplies
Mentor or Success Coach
Community-based agencies
On the Streets
“Meet them where they are” requires shelter outreach teams to go where homeless teens find refuge - the streets, under bridges, in abandoned buildings and in parks - treating both the teens and their space with respect. Outreach teams bring food, water, hygiene kits, clean clothing and blankets, along with information about their shelter’s services.
Even though the conditions on the street are dangerous and miserable, for homeless teens these conditions are familiar and shared with their “street family.” It may take weeks, even months, to gain their trust.
"The best way to do outreach is to let them know that we'll be there when they're ready." - Mike Blockson, Covenant House Texas
Long Term Impact
Without intervention, homeless youth and young adults are destined to become homeless adults: those who don’t find a way to get off the street and out of shelters before age 24 are likely to still be homeless at age 48.
Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face*
Take Action Now
For most teens, homelessness is not a choice, but the tragic result of family instability, poverty, discrimination and abuse. Homeless youth often have not learned the essential life skills needed to live on their own, like how to drive or ride a bus, get a job or pay bills. They are at an increased risk of harm and mental illness, and more likely to suffer poor health, drop out of school and commit crimes. Because life on the streets is dangerous and unpredictable, homeless youth are extremely vulnerable to being exploited, abused or killed. And there aren’t enough safety nets, resources or shelter beds...
If you have a heart for helping others, YOU can transform the life of a homeless teen! While you will be saddened and shocked to learn how many known homeless teens there are in your community, you can TAKE ACTION NOW to serve and support them. What you do will make a significant difference in their lives, immediately and in the future.
Step 1 - Meet with the Coordinators of Homeless Teen Programs
To learn about the programs currently in place, ask your public school’s LEA (Local Education Agency) liaison, local government and non-profit organizations, and teen-specific shelter:
How many “teen-specific” shelters are there in our community? In our state?
How many known homeless teens do you support?
What funding resources currently exist? What specifically do they fund?
What additional funding resources do you need?
What basic necessity items do the teens need?
What programs and services do you provide? - During semesters? During school hours? After hours? - During “no school” days? - During winter, spring and summer breaks?
What volunteer opportunities do you offer?
What events do you sponsor? (i.e. winter coat drives, backpack & school supply drives).
Do you have an established mentoring program? Tutoring opportunities?
Do you offer a Gay Straight Alliance club or Anti-Bullying club?
What anti-trafficking efforts are in place?
What additional community-based programs do you partner with?
Step 2 - Invite Others to Join You
Share this website and what you’ve learned about homeless teens in your community with family, friends and colleagues! Then, discuss ways to raise both awareness and resources to help these teens move from surviving to thriving. Consider:
Organize “awareness” events:
Show The Time Between film and/or other documentaries
Panel discussion with speakers from the above groups or school
Fundraiser
Set up donation bins at your church or business for basic needs (personal care items, socks, T-shirts, underwear)
Organize a team to expand or initiate programs critically needed.
Volunteer with/donate to clothing drives, hygiene and school kits, meals/food banks, laundry services, etc.
Begin/expand a mentoring program. (“Youth on Their Own” model, www.yoto.org)
Distribute flyers about trafficking hotlines to bars and hotels where trafficking victims can see them. (See PolarisProject.org/PublicizeHotline.)
Urge hotels and travel organizations to adopt “The Code” - a pledge to be vigilant andreport suspected child exploitation. (See TheCode.org.)
The Immediate Need: Teen-Specific Shelters
You will quickly learn that there are far too few shelters for homeless teens. If there is a teen-specific shelter in your community, most likely there aren’t enough beds to meet the nightly demand, let alone enough resources and staff to help these vulnerable teens.
“It’s been two months now since I ran away from the abuse that was killing me at ‘home.’ I wonder what it must be like for other kids who never have to run away. What must it be like to spend a night in a warm bed, safe and secure? I would give anything to not be sleeping in a crate tonight.” - Sheila, age 15*
Homeless teens need somewhere safe to go the first moment they are unhoused and on their own! To meet that critical need, we must fund existing shelters and/or build more shelters for teens!
*Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face
Legal Definitions
Age Out - on one's 18th birthday, a teen immediately becomes ineligible to be in foster care
Foster parents no longer receive financial support from the system. The foster parents can choose to allow the teen to stay and provide for them. Or the teen has to leave, and potentially become homeless, drop out of school and not graduate.
Homeless Youth - a child or teen who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence
With family: - Shelter residents - Shared housing (2+ families sharing a home for financial reasons) - Motel/Hotel residents (affordable housing not available)
With family OR alone, as unaccompanied youth: - Living in a campground or tent - Substandard housing (home lacks electricity or running water) - Living in a car, park, or abandoned building
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY)/Minor
Age Ranges
Under 18 (Minor)
Under age 21 (Runaway and Homeless Youth Act)
Under age 25 (Dept of Housing and Urban Development)
No age range - a student whose parent retains legal, but not physical, custody (McKinney-Vento Act)
Living Arrangements
Not living in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian, and
Lacking a regular, fixed, nighttime resident
Legal Responsibilities of Parents
Until age 18, parents are legally responsible for their child, whether the child is kicked out or runs away. Legally, they are required to ensure that the child has food, clothing and shelter.
If parents realize their teen is homeless (and the teen is under age 16), they must report this to Social Services.
Legal Responsibilities of Public Schools
The McKinney-Vento Act ensures that “unaccompanied homeless youth” receive a free, appropriate public education, including:
Enroll, attend or remain in school - without records required for enrollment or permanent address
Qualify for free and/or reduced lunches
Receive transportation to and from school if requested
Speak with local homeless liaison about their rights
Lack of a legal guardian or guardianship documents cannot delay or prevent the enrollment of an unaccompanied homeless youth.
Absent other circumstances (suspected abuse), schools do not have to contact CPS or the police.
Legal Role of Child Protective Services (CPS)
CPS is required to investigate all calls/claims of suspected child abuse and neglect. One phone call - from the child/youth, a neighbor or a family member - starts the process:
The family is legally required to go through the investigation and assessment, and accept CPS decisions
CPS only intervenes on behalf of minors up to age 18 regarding foster care placement
CPS encourages community members to report suspected abuse or neglect. In some states, its required.
Legal Role of Law Enforcement
Because homeless teens are highly visible to law enforcement, especially in urban areas, they are more susceptible to arrest. Clearly, police officers are required to enforce the law, leading to possible citations, arrests and prosecutions, as well as juvenile detention or jail. And a criminal record increases the likelihood of a teen being trapped in homelessness.
With limited options for shelter, food and income, homeless teens may commit:
“Survival crimes”, such as sleeping in public spaces, trespassing in abandoned buildings, urban camping, loitering and panhandling.
“Serious crimes” including theft, vandalism, underage drinking, drug possession and assault
Additionally, police officers serve as a “soft connection” bridge between law enforcement and homeless teens, with the opportunity to develop personal connections and guide them to local support services.
While there are many homeless shelters for adults and families in our communities, where do teens go when they are forced to make the unimaginable choice: “Do I stay and continue being abused or do I run away?” If they choose to run, they suddenly find themselves homeless, alone and scared and wondering “Is there anyone in this world who cares about me?”.
“It’s been two months now since I ran away from the abuse that was killing me at ‘home.’ I wonder what it must be like for other kids who never have to run away. What must it be like to spend a night in a warm bed, safe and secure? I would give anything to not be sleeping in a crate tonight.” - Sheila*
To help homeless teens find hope and healing in a safe place, we only have two choices:
Expand an Existing Shelter
If there is a teen-specific shelter in your community, most likely there aren’t enough beds to meet the nightly demand, let alone enough resources and staff to support the physical and emotional needs of these vulnerable teens. Meet with the dedicated staff of these shelters to understand their needs, their funding resources and to EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR EXPANSION.
Build a Shelter
If there isn’t a teen-specific shelter in your community, partner with local businesses, churches and organizations that already serve these teens - and BUILD A SHELTER as a long-term commitment to these teens and your community.
Contact organizations that have established teen-specific shelters and invite them to guide you and your partners through the process - from funding and legal aspects to staffing and programs. Or ask them to consider joining forces with your group to add another shelter to their organization in your community.
The Long-Term Impact of Youth Homelessness
Without intervention, many homeless youth are destined to become homeless adults - impacting both current and future generations:
Approximately 1.1 million children had a young parent experiencing homelessness
44% of homeless women, ages 18-25, are pregnant or a parent
18% of homeless men, ages 18-25, have a pregnant partner or are a parent
If they don’t “find a way out” by age 24, they are likely to still be homeless at age 48
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” – Psalm 82:3
Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face*
IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, please don’t wait to ask for help!
Caring counselors will help you find shelter in a safe place.
Free. Anonymous. Accessible 24/7/365.
Text the word SAFE and your LOCATION (city, state) to 4HELP (44357) to locate the closest Safe Place ®.
Reply 2CHAT to connect with a professional counselor.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
24-hour call center: 1-800-843-5678
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Is someone making you do something you don’t want to do?
Stay where you are.
Call 1-888-373-7888
Text “BeFree” to 233733
ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline
If you suspect child abuse or neglect - or if you are being mistreated - call:
There are People Who Care!
Tell an adult you trust - a teacher, coach, pastor or counselor - about your situation.
Let them help you:
find a safe and decent place to live
access services for food, clothing, personal items and medical care
stay in school
If you suspect, or know a teen who is homeless, please share this PDF with that precious teen. You may save his or her life!
PDF FILE HERE
Find a Shelter and Support Services Near You
State-by-State listings for shelters, soup kitchens and food banks, along with phone numbers to
connect with caring individuals:
Teen-specific shelters:
Covenant House: www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-shelters
Salvation Army Youth Shelters: www.salvationarmy.org
1-888-870-DOCS (3627): I Am Here: Vital Documents Hotline for Youth
Free, state-specific legal assistance for homeless youth.
Two homeless teenagers. One kicked out.
One a runaway. Both innocent and scared
and struggling to survive on the street. As
dead ends and dangers close in, they make
decisions that will impact their lives forever.
An original short film for mature audiences only.
Resources
Feature Films
Between the Miles (2025) - a struggling musician takes in three homeless teens off the LA streets.
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story (2003) - homeless at fifteen, Liz ends up attending Harvard.
The Short History of the Long Road (2019) - a teenager confronts life on the road after a family tragedy.
Documentaries
“16:49 - Sixteen Hours, Forty-Nine Minutes”
16 hours and 49 minutes - the exact amount of time homeless youth must live through between the end of one school day and the beginning of the next. Featuring unaccompanied youth Kayla, Cory and Brandon, “16:49” is a powerful look into the daily lives of our nation’s most vulnerable kids.
Also visit the Project 16:49 website.
American Street Kid (2016 to 2020) - an unfiltered look into the lives of homeless youth in LA.
California’s Young Homeless Girls Surviving by Every Means Necessary (2025) - short videos
The Harsh Reality of LGBT Homeless Youth (2019). Additional videos on this topic.
The Homestretch (2014) - follows three homeless teens in Chicago as they strive to stay in school and build a future.
Shelter (2014) - follows several homeless teenagers in New Orleans, and the efforts of local organizations and shelters trying to help.
Streetwise (1984) - follows nine homeless and runaway teenagers in Seattle and how they live by panhandling, prostitution and petty theft.
Street Level (2019) - follows several homeless teens interning at a local bike shop.
Search “PBS Frontline”- several news stories about homelessness.
Media Coverage
60 MINUTES (2-part series)
An in-depth look at family homelessness in Central Florida, including a family doubling up with a neighbor, a family living in a motel and a family living in a truck.
View The Hard Times Generation (Part 1)
View Families Living in Cars (Part 2)
ABC Australia: “More homeless youth experiencing severe mental health problems” (2024)
CNN: “Overlooked and undercounted, NYC’s homeless youth fight to survive” (2025)
Daily Homeless News: “Homeless Teenagers - Victims of the System or Self-Irresponsibility?” (2025)
MSNBC Investigates: “The Runaways”, homeless teens in Portland (2001)
NBC Chicago: “Homeless Youth: an invisible crisis” (2024)
TEDxCharleston: “40% of Homeless Youth are LGBTQ - What Can We Do?” (2020)
National Organizations
Covenant House YouTube Channel - many videos from homeless teens who were helped, and by those who help them.
YouTube Channels
Fiction
Novels by Catherine Ryan Hyde with homeless teen characters (runaways, kicked out and/or aged out of foster care)
Can’t Get There from Here, by Todd Strasser
Maybe, a homeless teenager, lives with a tribe of “runaways and throwaways” - all struggling against “the cold, hunger, and constant danger” of the city streets. When twelve-year-old Tears appears, Maybe tries to help her get off the streets before it’s too late.
Girl in Pieces, by Kathleen Glasgow
A riveting journey with homeless, yet determined, seventeen-year-old Charlie as she finds her way back from the edge of self-harm, addiction and loss.
Homecoming, by Cynthia Voigt
Dicey Tillerman, thirteen, and her three younger siblings are abandoned by their mother in the parking lot of a shopping mall. The only way Dicey can keep them together is to get them to a great-aunt’s home - a long journey with little money. Homecoming reveals the courage, strength and resilience that so many kids muster in the face of impossible odds.
Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli
Jeffrey Lionel “Maniac” Magee has an incredible running talent - and no home. He runs through the town of Two Mills where tensions between races run high, forging friendships on both sides with those who offer shelter or a meal. Magee’s “constant search for family, stability and acceptance in a divided, complicated world” reveals the isolation and prejudice people experience while homeless.
Money Boy, by Paul Yee
Ray Liu is a privileged Chinese immigrant - until his father finds out he is gay and kicks him out. Ray avoids seeking help from friends (who don’t know of his sexual orientation) and heads to downtown Toronto. “Within days, he’s robbed, beaten, befriended, solicited and left with a decision to make: whether or not to become a “money boy,” joining the ranks of Toronto’s teen male prostitutes.”
No Place, by Todd Strasser
Popular, high school basketball star, Dan, and his family lose their home due to unexpected circumstances, and move into their town’s Tent City. Struggling to adjust, Dan joins with those who are fighting for better conditions and services for the residents of Tent City against those who want it destroyed.
Pieces of Me, by Darlene Ryan
Maddie is barely scraping by on the streets, trying to protect herself and make enough money to get a place to stay and go back to school. Then she meets Dylan, a six-year-old boy, living on the streets with his family. When his parents ask Maddie to watch Dylan for a few hours, she is happy to help. But Dylan's parents don’t return, and Maddie and her friend, Q, are left to take care him.
Sleeping in My Jeans, by Connie King Leonard
Sixteen-year-old Mattie Rollins has it all figured out - to ace her AP classes, earn a college scholarship and create a new life for herself and her family. But Mattie’s plan for a better life quickly crumbles after becoming homeless, forcing her, her mom, and her six-year-old sister, Meg, to live in the confines of their beat-up station wagon. When her mother mysteriously disappears, Mattie races to find her before she slips away forever, along with Mattie’s hopes and dreams of a stable future.
Stone Cold, by Robert Swindells
Link’s struggles at home force him onto London’s cold, hostile streets where he meets other young runaways, each fighting to survive day by day. Through Link, we experience firsthand “the stark reality homeless youths face, from hunger to danger, fear, loneliness and despair” - and the psychological toll homelessness takes on them.
The Summer Kitchen, by Lisa Wingate
Her family life disintegrating, Sandra finds healing in her grandfather’s house as she prepares it for sale. The little pink house, now part of a decaying neighborhood, becomes a refuge for Cass, a runaway 12-year-old, and other hungry children when Sandra starts making them sandwiches. Sandra and Cass slowly learn to trust, each other and themselves, as they accept the goodness of others amidst the tragedy of abuse, addiction and fear.
Ten Mile River, by Paul Griffin
Having escaped juvie and foster care, best friends Ray and Jose, age thirteen, are hiding out from their parole officers in an abandoned building in NYC’s Ten Mile River park. With no use for school or families, street-smart Jose and bookish, introspective Ray have everything they need in each other - until they both fall for smart, beautiful and confident Trini. As tension creeps into their relationship, Ray must struggle to find an identity and a future separate from Jose and Ten Mile River.
Theories of Relativity, by Barbara Haworth-Attard
“A believable and absolutely uncompromising” story about life on the street for sixteen-year-old Dylan, kicked out of his home and struggling to survive. With gritty determination, Dylan tries to turn his life around while wondering “what did he do to deserve this life?”
Tyrell, by Coe Booth
A young African-American teen lives in a homeless shelter with his family. To help make ends meet, Tyrell struggles with the raw emotions, complex relationships and the hard realities of life on the streets, including incredibly difficult choices.
Non-Fiction
Homeless Teens
Almost Home: Helping Kids Move from Homelessness to Hope, by Kevin Ryan
The stories of six homeless teens confronting life on the streets alone, who find their way to a shelter run by Covenant House and who wrestle with the devastating impact of addiction, violence, prostitution, rejection, teen parenthood and aging out of foster care - with limited skills and broken spirits.
Born Bright: A Young Girl’s Journey from Nothing to Something in America, by C. Nicole Mason
The author’s path out of poverty reveals the conditions that make it almost impossible to escape, including the false assumption “that the poor don’t help themselves enough.”
The Courage to Be Yourself: True Stories by Teens about Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure, Al Dessetta, Editor
Twenty-six true stories written by teens who share their struggles with bullying, abuse and exclusion for being a minority, LGBTQ+ or “different.”
From the Ashes: My Story of Being Indigenous, Homeless, and Finding My Way, by Jesse Thistle
From being abandoned by his parents at age two to foster care to his grandparents’ home, Jesse succumbs to the generational curses of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime for a decade, on and off the streets, often homeless. With “sheer perseverance and education - and newfound love - he [finds] his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family.”
Kicked Out, by Sassafras Lowrey
Narratives of thirty-one LGBTQ+ youth who are homeless after being rejected for their gender identity.
Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face, by Sister Mary Rose McGeady
The heart wrenching stories of fifteen homeless teens in a Covenant House shelter, and Sister McGeady’s loving kindness and prayers for each deeply broken, yet resilient, teen.
Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America, by Mike G. Yankoski III
The true account of two college students who chose to leave their upper-middle class lives for five months - to “discover what if feels like to be homeless in America.” With only the clothes on their backs, a guitar, backpacks and seven dollars each, they step onto the street, and within a few days, they discover the despair of extreme hunger pains, the constant danger and exhaustion, the depression and rejection.
Homeless Families and Adults
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond
Following eight Milwaukee families struggling to keep a roof over their head, Evicted expands our understanding of poverty and exploitation, while offering ideas for solutions.
Homeless at Harvard: Finding Faith and Friendship on the Streets of Harvard Square, by John Christopher Frame
In Harvard Square, the gathering place for some of Cambridge’s homeless, Frame shares the stories of these “urban pioneers” - who find community and deeper understanding for the human condition.
Homeless by Choice, by various authors
Personal stories by individuals who have experienced homelessness.
How to End Homelessness, Editors, Greenhouse Press
Strategies and solutions to combat homelessness.
Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America, by Jonathan Kozol
First published in 1988, Rachel and Her Children offers a powerful look at the intersection of race, poverty and education, dragging men, women and children down into desperate, hopeless situations.
Youth Homelessness: The Facts
Provided by: To End Youth Homelessness
Common Signs of Homelessness
Provided by: National Center for Homeless Education
Take Action Tool Kit
Provided by: National Network for Youth
Exploring Youth Homelessness
Provided by: Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
To Find Shelters, Food Banks and Assistance in Your Area
www.homelessshelterdirectory.org
Dedicated to Serving Homeless Youth
Provides shelters and support services, including crisis care, mental health programs, and education and workforce development. For 33 shelter locations in US, Canada and Latin America: www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-shelters
Offers safe housing, meals and essential services, including medical and mental health care, case management and resources for homeless teens, including LGBTQ+ youth who face higher risks of homelessness due to discrimination.
Organizations Focused on Ending Youth Homelessness
National Alliance to End Homelessness
Improves federal homelessness policy in the United States.
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
Technical assistance to state and federal administrators, homeless liaisons, educators, advocates and families to ensure academic success for homeless youth.
National Center for Homeless Education
Resources on educating children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Click here for a list of our publications that are available to download and print.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Increases standards of care and access to services for children, families and homeless teens who experience or witness traumatic events.
National Coalition for the Homeless
Preventing homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of the homeless are met and their civil rights protected.
National Council of State Legislatures
Facilitates the effectiveness, integrity and exchange of information among legislatures, including the issue of homelessness.
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty—Youth & Education Resources
Outlines the rights of homeless students to enroll and participate in school according to federal law.
Promotes policy advocacy and public education to develop effective strategies to reduce the number of homeless youth.
1-888-870-DOCS: “I Am Here: Vital Documents Hotline for Youth” - free, state-specific legal assistance for homeless youth.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Research and tools for “frontline advocates” working to end sexual harassment, assault and abuse.
Serves victims and survivors through the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Develops targeted systems-level strategies to disrupt and prevent human trafficking.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Administration for Children & Families (ACF)
ACF’s “Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs” (RHY) support street outreach, emergency shelters, transitional living programs, maternity group homes, training and the National Runaway Safeline (above).
U.S. Department of Education - Office of Safe and Healthy Students (OSHS)
Programs, grants and reports focused on ensuring a quality education for homeless youth.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Research and strategies for communities to work with government agencies to end youth homelessness on a local and national scale.
Provides information about youth homelessness, including government reports, resources and details about government programs aimed at preventing and ending youth homelessness.
A mentoring model that supports homeless youth, through high school graduation and beyond, by eliminating barriers to education.
Legislation
Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
Reforms child welfare system to keep families together and reduce reliance on foster care. Provides federal funds for state-run programs, including mental health, parenting skills and substance abuse prevention for families at risk of separation, as well as youth experiencing homelessness.
Fostering the Future for American Children and Families (Executive Order)
Improves support for youth transitioning out of foster care by creating educational and employment pathways, enhancing access to resources, and fostering partnerships with various organizations. Initiative focuses on providing the necessary tools for these youth to achieve self-sufficiency and success. Co-signed by President and Mrs. Trump as part of the First Lady’s “Fostering the Future” initiative.
National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
Federal legislation related to the education and well-being of children, youth and families experiencing homelessness, including these Acts focused on homeless teens:
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Outlines the educational rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness, and the responsibilities of schools to support these students.
Fostering Connections Act
Provides federal funding to the states for youth aging out of the foster care system beyond their 18th birthday to help them transition to independent adulthood.
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA)
Provides guidelines and funding to states for the care and treatment of youth in the juvenile justice system to prevent the incarceration of status offenders, and address racial and ethnic disparities.
Runaway Homeless Youth Act (RHYA)
Federal funding and support for programs assisting homeless and runaway youth, including emergency shelters and transitional living programs; and a “Street Outreach Program” to connect with youth on the street.
Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)
Combats human trafficking, particularly sex trade and forced labor, focusing on a protection, prevention and prosecution of trafficking crimes.
Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)
Reduce the number of youth experiencing homelessness in selected rural and urban communities through a coordinated community approach focused on prevention.
Policy Research and Advocacy Groups
First Focus Campaign for Children
Prioritizes children in federal policy and budget decisions for achievable solutions, more accurate assessment of child homelessness, and lawmakers’ support of affordable housing and eviction prevention.
National Alliance to End Homelessness
The leading voice on improving federal homelessness policy in the United States.
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty—Youth & Education Resources
Outlines the rights of homeless students to enroll and participate in school.
Policy advocacy and public education for effective strategies to reduce the number of youths who experience homelessness in the United States.
An invitation to ask questions, offer suggestions, submit resources and share your outreach ideas and results with others.
Get in Touch
Together, we can HELP HOMELESS TEENS in our communities!