STREE

T TEEN

BSHS 331Crystal Ducharme

Description History Statistic Mission Statement About Street Teens Who are these

youth?

Volunteer Guideline

Ethical Dilemmas Challenges Resources References Questions

TABLE OF CONTENT

Drop In Center

Work Directly with teens to provide supportive services

There must be 2 volunteers or a staff member present at the

Sanctuary before it can be opened.

Contact702-743-7309

DISCRIPTION

Teens Struggling to survive

Street Teens was established by David MereauxBefore The Drop-In Center, David would help the teens outside his van with the necessities of:

-Food & Water-Clothing-Hygiene

David Mereaux dedicates his life to street teens.

(Street Teens, 2011).

HISTORY

GLOBALIn 1989 UNICEF estimated

over 100 million children that were living on Urban streets around the world.

Today the exact number of street teens is impossible to quantify, but the figures are in the tens of millions and increasing.

The debate is whether the growth is the cause of street children that are growing globally or because the people are more aware of it now.

( UNICEF, 2003).

STATISTICS

In Canada the typical runaway usually has something to do with Sexual & Physical abuse.

-This makes them vulnerable to sexual victimization, mature to pimps, drug trafficking, prostitution & sex trade to survive.

82 % of street youth have been reported of being a “victim of crime”. ( UNICEF, 2003).

1 to 2 MILLION ARE CHILREN IN THE

USA

AMERICAS

Street Teen is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting homeless, abandoned, and at-risk youth.

From the ages of 12-21.

Provides

Food Vouchers

Bus Passes

Showers

Supply Room

Kitchen

Respite Room

Laundry Room

Living Room

Computer Room

Goalsmeet the survival needs of our

youth by providing basic necessities in a safe,

compassionate environment

Survival We provide immediate support to help them survive. Trust We build relationships based on mutual respect and trust. Resources We provide the resources they need. Education We provide education and opportunities to rebuild self-esteem. Empowerment We empower them to move forward. The Results They become effective members of their communities.

MISSION STATEMENT

October 1st 2001, Street Teens Drop-In Center opened.

Meet the needs of Homeless youth

To be safe and healthy as possible while living on the streets

Provide resources Help with employment &

Housing

“SANCTUARY”(Street Teens, 2011).

ABOUT STREET TEENS

Children that do not have anyone they can turn to.

Children that come from abusive backgrounds and neglectful home’s

Parent’s that have substance abuse problems

Children that have been abused in their homes… Sexually/Physically(Street Teens, 2011).

WHO ARE THESE YOUTH

Volunteers

POLICY AND PROCEDURES No Volunteers - are to give away items like money, cigarettes or transportationDo not at any circumstance ever be alone with a clientOutside the sanctuary – no relationship with the children or families what so ever No personal information about yourself to the clients Never allow the client to use personal items

VOLUNTEER GUIDLINES

1. Teens are not allowed to eat outside of the kitchen

2. No food is served or stored in the kitchen unless food is being thrown away – only than can the food go home with the teen.

3. Once teen leave, they are not allowed return – except if for teens are working

4. Store Room is only open 5-7 pm. One person at a time.

5. No one is allowed in over the age of 25 and under the age of 5. No service to anyone else unless ok by Lisa Preston

6. Only the hand-outs are given by the directors unless director ask for assistance.

( Street Teens, 2011).

Youth HomelessnessYouth homelessness is

described by the National Alliance to End Homelessness

as "disturbingly common." Researchers estimate that

anywhere between 5 and 7.7 percent of youth experience homelessness each year. In

many cases, homeless shelters must make the call on whether to report such homeless youth to child service organizations --

which, though they may be legally obligated to do, may not be in the best interests of the individual -- and even more

disturbingly, reports have been made of some youth homeless

shelters 'farming' out their occupants for labor or sex

trafficking.( Kellenberg, MAY 18 2001).

Homeless shelters, like many nonprofit

organizations, face a number of legal and ethical

issues which can divert valuable resources away

from treating homelessness. In some cases, these issues can

result in more damage to homeless populations.

Despite these problems, homeless shelters still provide a necessary resource to needy

individuals, and many homeless shelters actively support a number of other

programs to assist homeless individuals (Kellenberg, May 18, 2001).

Ethical Dilemmas

Boundaries Do not go beyond

the limits of the drop-in center

Not getting to close to the teens

Not bringing the center home with me.

CHALLENGES

Contact Street Teens Toll Free1-877-LV-TEENS

Adolescent Suicide(800) 621-4000

Alcohol and Drug Abuse(702) 385-3332 

Baby Your Baby Referral (800) 429-2669

Child Protective Services(702) 399-0081

CDC AIDS Hotline(800) 342-2437

Crisis Line(800) 866-9600

Domestic Violence(800) 799-7233

Gay/Lesbian Youth(800) 850-8078 

Al-Anon(800) 344-2666

Depression(800) 799-7233

Drug Abuse(800) 888-9383

Rape/Assault(800) 551-0008

Youth Hotline(800) 422-4453 Child Abuse Suicide Hotline(800) 999-9999

( Street Teens, 2011).

Shelters: Center for Independent Living

Emergency Shelter (702) 385-1764 Girls and Boys Town (800) 448-3000 Nevada Homes For Youth (702) 380-

2889 Transitional Housing for Teens Regina Hall (702) 565-9925 Housing

for Adolescent Girls Shade Tree Shelter for Mothers and

Children (702) 385-4596 West Care (702) 385- 3330 Medical Services: Clark County Health District (702)

383-1246 Clinic on Wheels (702) 870-7201 Hunt ridge Teen Clinic (702) 732-

8776 Planned Parenthood (702) 878-7776 St Rose Dominican Hospital (702)

616-5000 University Medical Center 702-383-

2000 Nevada Health Centers (702) 307-

5414

GET HELP

QUESTIONS

Kellenberg, S. (MAY 18 2001). Legal & Ethical Issues Facing Homeless Shelters. eHow . Retrieved from http://www.feedalive.com

Street Teens. (2011). Non Profit Organization. Retrieved from http://www.streetteens.org

UNICEF. (2003). United Nations Publication. Retrieved from http://www.childinfo.org

REFERENCES