Homeless, runaways a real concern for Valley

Once a youth has lost the care of a supervising adult, the sense of stability and safety can become beyond his or her reach. It could lead to a life on the streets, which creates trauma that stays with them the rest of their lives. They are likely to become victims of substance abuse, depression, unwanted pregnancy and parenthood. The spiral downward can continue with being in the game (dealing drugs), being a mule (transporting drugs for dealer) or the most incomprehensible, trafficking.

Covenant House in Anchorage has 4,000 kids walk through its doors a year.

Of those, 10 percent to 20 percent come from the Valley. That translates to anywhere from 400 to 800 who make their way to Anchorage. My concern is those who don’t make it to Anchorage to get help. Just how many kids are runaway or unaccompanied in the Valley?

First things first. Homeless means they could be with their families but live in a variety of temporary situations. Runaway or unaccompanied means they are not in the physical custody and care of a parent or legal guardian.

One of our alternative high schools in the Valley alone has 102 homeless students out of a total of 265. Out of those 102 homeless, 60 are unaccompanied.

These runaways and unaccompanied youth who find themselves not in the physical custody or care of a parent or legal guardian are there for many reasons. Many youth flee due to abuse at home. This abuse can be physical (40 percent to 60 percent), or sexual (20 percent to 40 percent). More than two-thirds of youth report their parents abuse alcohol or drugs. Many youth have been thrown out because of sexual orientation.

To add to the runaway/unaccompanied youth problems among girls, almost half have been pregnant, and currently at least 10 more are pregnant. More than half of the youth were told by their parents to leave, or parents knew their child was leaving and did not care.

And where do these youth find shelter here? Since there is no housing in the Valley for these youth, some make it to Covenant House. Those are the lucky ones. Others live in cars, campgrounds, baseball dugouts and abandoned structures. Again, we have no housing programs, or even a drop-in center, for runaway, unaccompanied youth. Besides not having a safe and warm shelter, they are doing without showers, clean clothes and, yes, sometimes without food.

Alcohol and drugs make it challenging working with youth. But runaway and homeless youth add another dimension to their life challenges. They have become reliant on their own decisions, even if not healthy, and are not ready to give up that independence. They have become survivors, but that is the problem. They are just surviving.

As caring adults, we have to meet them where they are, accept that, and provide and offer healthier choices for them. It is a hand up, not a hand out. We have to continue to offer, without any prejudice. I believe they will come if we have an attitude of acceptance, respect and genuine sincerity.

If you believe we are coming up short (with no housing programs or center) for these youth, and if you want to be part of the solution, join the “boots on the ground” making a difference. There is candlelight vigil planned at 7 p.m., Nov. 26 at the train depot in Palmer. At this event, we will acknowledge these youth with our voices and commitment for their recovery to lead successful and productive lives.

Special note: Attend the summit conference Dec. 13 at the Wasilla Public Safety Building. This will be an all-day event sponsored by the Coalition for Housing and Homelessness with speakers, breakout groups and panel discussions seeking solutions for our homeless population in the Valley.

Michael P. Carson is a member of the Coalition for Housing and Homelessness.