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In 2007 the first ever National Homeless Youth Awareness Month was established by Congress. RE*Generation worked to raise awareness around youth homelessness and get at least 1 million people to take action in some way. The Homeless Youth Among Us Website was operated by Virgin Mobile USA, LLC. to educate and demonstrate how folks could help.
The content below is from the site's 2007 archived pages and other outside sources.

How Many Homeless Youth Are there in America?


The quick answer is probably over a million homeless youth require services each year in the United States. Most agree that the population is “substantial and widespread” in every state and across demographic characteristics, but we do not have accurate figures. The state figures noted above do not accurately quantify the number of homeless youth in the state because homeless youth are often a ‘hidden’ population and only a fraction receive shelter or housing support. 

NB: If you live in an urban area you have seen homeless youths. In the summer there seems to be more than ever. Walking down major avenues in New York City in the evenings I have seen homeless youths congregating on the steps of churches, setting up their space for the night. One heart wrenching scene was a couple with two young children. Somewhere they had managed to find what appeared to be a couple of designer round dog beds they were using for their childrens' beds. I happened to recognize the dirty dog beds since I had two similar ones in my Fifth Ave coop for my two golden doodles. I had bought mine at an online store with the clever name GoodNightDog who sold premium dog bed for pet lovers. I'm sure they never would have imagined where two of their beds would end up. On one hand I was glad the kids had something to sleep on, but just the fact they were out there on the steps of a Park Ave church ready to go to sleep for the night was utterly depressing. I gave their mother a twenty and continued on my walk.

There are only a few research studies that quantify the number of homeless youth in America. National studies vary from 575,000 to 1.6 million to 2.8 million. 


National Homeless Youth Awareness Month begins November 2007.
In April 2007, The RE*Generation Task Force hit Capitol Hill to convince Congress to establish a National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in November.
Thanks to the compelling testimony of Jewel and her fellow Task Force members, the resolution was introduced in Congress and passed into law!
In honor of the first ever National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, The RE*Generation is working to raise awareness around youth homelessness and get at least 1 million people to take action in some way.

 


—A generation helping its own

Right now, there are over one million young people living on the streets of the US. Many have been abused or neglected and left with no choice but to beg, steal, or sell their bodies to survive.

Virgin Mobile, with the help of Virgin Unite, wants to change that. The RE*Generation is our effort to empower a generation to help its own. We're bringing together organizations that care about homeless youth and connecting them with young people who want to help.

And we're making it easy for our customers to take an active role and get involved — through donating, volunteering, and even text messaging and downloading.

 

Accomplishments

Here’s just some of what we've accomplished since June 2006, when The RE*Generation began:

  • For every ticket sold to the 2007 Virgin Festival by Virgin Mobile, one dollar was donated to The RE*Generation.GreenDimes (a company working hard to stop household junk mail) then matched that amount, for a total of over $110,880 going to The RE*Generation’s charitable partners.
  • Over $26,000 has been raised for The RE*Generation’s charitable partners through the Txt2Donate program.
  • November 2007 has officially been designated the first ever "National Homeless Youth Awareness Month" here in the U.S. thanks to The RE*Generation Task Force's lobbying efforts.
  • Over 86,000 items of clothing have been donated through the Txt2Clothe program.
  • Over 4,200 downloads of The RE*Generation graphics and ringtones.
  • Charitable partner, StandUp For Kids has been able to add 5 new chapters thanks to increased funding and awareness.
  • Through your donations and help from our partners, over $3 million has been invested in building The RE*Generation so far.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed. Please keep those donations coming!

In April 2007, The RE*Generation Task Force hit Capitol Hill to convince Congress to establish a National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in November.

Thanks to the compelling testimony of Jewel and her fellow Task Force members, the resolution was introduced in Congress and passed into law!

 

2007 November Activities

The RE*Generation Gallery 2007 Auction And Benefit
To kickoff National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Virgin Mobile is hosting a five-star benefit gala in NYC. We'll be auctioning off works from 21 of today's hottest up-and-coming artists to benefit The RE*Generation's charitable partners and raise awareness around youth homelessness. You can check out the artwork and bid online.

Nationwide Help The Homeless Events
Fannie Mae Foundation's annual Help the Homeless events are happening in eight cities across the country on November 17th. The RE*Generation will take part in the events in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Seattle. Find an event near you and lend your support! 

GOOD Magazine Contributes To The RE*Generation
In honor of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, GOOD Magazine will contribute 100% of its subscription fees to The RE*Generation's charitable partners during the month of November when subscribers sign up here. GOOD Magazine is one of The RE*Generation's corporate supporters. 

Send A Letter To Congress
Congress has designated November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, but there's still a lot more work to be done. Send a letter to your local member of Congress to ask for their continued support in the fight against youth homelessness. Or, click on one of the links below to learn more about pending legislation affecting homeless youth.


 

110TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION

S. RES. 226

Recognizing the month of November 2007 as ‘‘National Homeless Youth Awareness Month’’

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

JUNE 7, 2007

Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. BROWN, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. SALAZAR, Mr. BAYH, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mr. CASEY, Mr. NELSON of Florida, and Mr. KENNEDY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions JULY 11, 2007 Committee discharged; considered, amended and agreed to and with an amendment to the title:

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the month of November 2007 as ‘‘National Homeless Youth Awareness Month’’.

Whereas between 1,300,000 and 2,800,000 children and teens are homeless in the United States each year, with many staying on the streets or in emergency shelters;

Whereas families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and now make up approximately 1⁄3 of that population; VerDate Aug 31 2005 20:56 Jul 18, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR226.ATS SR

 

Whereas homeless youth are typically too poor to secure basicneeds and are unable to access adequate medical or mental health care;
Whereas each day 13 homeless youth die due to physical assault, illness, or suicide;
Whereas many youth become homeless due to a lack of financial and housing resources as they exit juvenile corrections and foster care;
Whereas 25 percent of foster youth experienced homelessness within 2 to 4 years after exiting foster care;
Whereas homeless youth are most often expelled from their homes by their guardians after physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or separated from their parents through death or divorce without adequate resources; and
Whereas awareness of the tragedy of youth homelessness and its causes must be heightened so that greater support for effective programs involving businesses, families, law enforcement agencies, schools, and community and faithbased organizations, aimed at helping youth remain off the streets becomes a national priority: Now, therefore, be it.

Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) supports the values and efforts of businesses, organizations, and volunteers dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless children and teens;
(2) applauds the initiatives of businesses, organizations, and volunteers that employ time and resources to build awareness of the homeless youthproblem, its causes, and potential solutions, and VerDate Aug 31 2005 20:56 Jul 18, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR226.ATS SR226 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS 3 SRES 226 ATS1S work to prevent homelessness among children and teens; and
(3) should recognize the month of November as"National Homeless Youth Awareness Month" and encourages these businesses, organizations, and volunteers to continue to intensify their efforts during the month of November 2007.

 

 

More Background On HomelessYouthAmongUs.org

HomelessYouthAmongUs.org was a website dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources to address the pressing issue of youth homelessness in the United States. While specific details about the website's operations and content are limited, its existence highlights the broader context of youth homelessness and the efforts made by various organizations to combat this societal challenge.

Understanding Youth Homelessness

Youth homelessness refers to individuals, typically aged 12 to 24, who lack a stable and safe place to live. The causes are multifaceted, including family conflict, abuse, neglect, economic hardship, and systemic issues such as aging out of foster care without adequate support. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, families with children are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, now comprising approximately one-third of that population.

Historical Context

The phenomenon of homelessness in the U.S. has evolved over centuries. In the 1640s, the earliest documented instances of unhoused individuals were recorded. The Great Depression of the 1930s saw a significant increase in homelessness due to widespread unemployment and economic instability. In response, the New Deal introduced programs aimed at reducing homelessness, though many marginalized groups were excluded from these benefits. The deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities in the 1960s and 1970s, coupled with a lack of community-based support, further exacerbated the issue.

Current Landscape

Today, youth homelessness remains a critical concern. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that on a single night in January 2020, approximately 34,000 unaccompanied youth were experiencing homelessness. These young individuals are at heightened risk of exploitation, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Organizations like Covenant House provide shelter and support services to homeless youth, aiming to guide them toward independence.

Advocacy and Awareness

Raising awareness about youth homelessness is essential for mobilizing resources and support. National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, recognized in November, serves as a platform for education and advocacy. During this month, various events and campaigns highlight the challenges faced by homeless youth and promote community involvement in solutions. For instance, the National Alliance to End Homelessness provides resources and data to inform policy and practice aimed at ending homelessness.

Support Services and Programs

Numerous organizations offer programs tailored to the needs of homeless youth:

  • Covenant House: Operating in multiple cities, Covenant House provides shelter, educational programs, and vocational training to homeless youth, empowering them to achieve self-sufficiency.

  • StandUp for Kids: This organization focuses on outreach, providing food, clothing, and counseling services to homeless and at-risk youth.

  • National Runaway Safeline: Offering crisis intervention and support, this helpline assists runaway and homeless youth in connecting with resources and services.

Community Involvement

Addressing youth homelessness requires a collective effort. Community members can contribute by volunteering at local shelters, donating to organizations that support homeless youth, and advocating for policies that address the root causes of homelessness. Educational institutions can also play a role by identifying at-risk students and providing support services to prevent homelessness.

 

Youth homelessness is a complex issue that demands comprehensive solutions. Through awareness, advocacy, and support services, communities can work together to provide homeless youth with the resources and opportunities they need to build stable, fulfilling lives. Continued efforts are essential to ensure that every young person has access to safe housing and the support necessary to thrive.

 

HomelessYouthAmongUs.org