Just One More Runaway

Just One More Runaway Seven times the hammer fell life's hard knocks no pity no help, no liberty bell alone in cold cruel city Rainbow fell soft that morn cleansing rains splashed down she crying with newborn so far from her home town City stared down, not a word silence rules empty stage their cries not ever heard sad story, turn the page News flashed, two found dead mother, newborn -her son a few sad words were said then, " new circus will be fun" Note: https://youth.gov/youth-topics/runaway-and-homeless-youth Homelessness is a major social concern in the United States, and youth may be the age group most at risk of becoming homeless.1 The number of youth who have experienced homelessness varies depending on the age range, timeframe, and definition used, but sources estimate that between 500,000 and 2.8 million youth are homeless within the United States each year.2 Youth run away or are homeless for a range of reasons, but involvement in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems, abuse, neglect, abandonment, and severe family conflict have all been found to be associated with youth becoming homeless. These youth are vulnerable to a range of negative experiences including exploitation and victimization. Runaway and homeless youth have high rates of involvement in the juvenile justice system, are more likely to engage in substance use and delinquent behavior, be teenage parents, drop out of school, suffer from sexually transmitted diseases, and meet the criteria for mental illness.3 Experiences of unaccompanied homeless youth are different from those who experience homelessness with their families. While negative experiences persist for youth who are homeless with their families, their experiences may not vary drastically from youth living in poverty.4 Studies have also found distinct variability in outcomes experienced by homeless youth, suggesting that youth experience homelessness differently........