For Youth
Thinking of Running?
There are many reasons for why youth end up on the streets such as:
- Fleeing physical and/or sexual abuse in the family home or foster care placement
- Neglect (not enough food, love or other comforts of living)
- Kicked out by parents or caregiver
- Lured by sexual predators or drug dealers
What to expect if you run
- Unless you have a lot of money, you'll have no where to live and may be forced to sleep in a doorway, behind a dumpster, on the beach or in a park
- In the first 24 hours, expect to be robbed of any possessions you may have
- Unless you have all of your ID, you won't be able to get Income Assistance (IA), and even then, without guidance, it is hard to get
- You'll be vulnerable to violence and disease
- You'll be vulnerable to sexual predators who will offer you a place to stay and/or drugs only to demand repayment later where you'll be forced into the sex trade
- You'll find it difficult to find a job especially if you have not finished high school and without a home, you'll have no where to get ready for work
You'll be tempted to use drugs, some of which are extremely addictive and life threatening. Avoid the use of crystal meth. For more information on crystal meth, please click here.