Shining a Light on Runaway & Homeless Youth in Ventura County
November is National Youth HOPE (Homelessness, Outreach, Prevention, Education) Month, a time that we make it our mission to illuminate the issues faced by runaway and homeless youth. 211 Ventura County is here to share resources for youth or those around youth in need of services. Whether needs include shelter, emancipation and mediation support, or just a friendly voice to talk with, 211 information and resources are here to help youth to be safe, healthy, and thriving.
4.2 million youth between the ages of 13 and 25 experience homelessness in our country each year. The leading causes of youth to run away or find themselves homeless include LGBTQ+ discrimination, physical abuse, neglect, parental substance abuse, and violence. When youth find themselves on the street, they become vulnerable to issues such as human trafficking, violence, hunger, and substance abuse.
You can find resources below if you or a youth you know are in need of services.
Local Runaway Youth Resources
- Interface Children & Family Services – provides the Youth Crisis Line and Shelter program:
Interface’s 24/7 Youth Crisis Line provides immediate support to youth (ages 12-24) and their families regarding runaway and homelessness issues, providing essential services like shelter assessments, family mediation, and case management. With round-the-clock accessibility, it ensures timely support for youth and teens, serving as a crucial resource in critical moments. All are welcome to call our text to connect with a Youth Specialist. Connect with the 24/7 Youth Outreach Hotline at 1-805-469-5882. Find out more about the hotline by visiting Interface’s website here.
Interface’s Street Outreach Program, who run the Youth Crisis Line, offer services to youth through the line and a “boots on the ground” approach visiting skate parks, coffee shops, and other places youth often stay. Program staff offer street-based education and outreach, access to emergency shelter, survival aid, trauma-informed treatment and counseling, information and referral, crisis intervention, and follow-up support. To find out more visit their website here.
Interface’s youth shelter is a licensed six-bed youth homelessness prevention center for youth 12-17 years old. All services are voluntary, free, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Support services include respite and cool-off options, daily nutritious meals, activities for health and wellbeing, educational support, transportation services, and guidance in independent living skills. Additionally, Interface facilitates family mediation and conflict resolution. This comprehensive approach aims to create a supportive environment, fostering stability and resilience within the community.
- One Step A la Vez provides a youth center in Filmore and Piru for youth ages 13-19. The youth center focuses on providing a safe place for teens to get services and help with whatever problems they might be facing. The youth created the One Step A La Vez Program which includes the One Step Center to provide behavioral health outreach, engagement, prevention and intervention services to the communities of the Santa Clara Valley (Fillmore, Piru & Santa Paula). Visit the website or call 805-625-7066 for more information.
- Ventura Family YMCA, Operation Ventura program provides free recreational classes, including swim classes, to children who are homeless, in a transitional or foster home, and children of incarcerated parents. Visit the website or call 805-642-2131 for more information.
National Runaway Homeless Youth Prevention Resources
- California Coalition for Youth provides a youth crisis line. Youth ages 12-24 can call, chat, or text 800-843-5200, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Youth and families can talk about homelessness, running away, family conflict and more. The California Youth Crisis line also offers the LGBTQ youth community support. The youth crisis line can also help with referrals for a number of supportive services, including shelter, counseling, and transportation.
More information about LGBTQ support.
- The National Runaway Safeline provides crisis intervention services to young people and their families while also offering prevention, educational and training programs to the network of runaway and homeless youth (RHY) service providers nationwide. Youth ages 13-25 can call, chat, or text 1-800-Runaway (1-800-786-2929) 24/7. The youth crisis line offers free non-judgmental support.
- National Safe Place provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. To use Txt 4 Help, text the word “safe” and your current location (city/state/zip) to 4HELP (44357) or visit the website to find a list of Safe Place sites nearest you.
