National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

To the editor:

Each year the national homeless youth population is increasing, and the Mat-Su is no exception.

Our homeless youth are exposed to trauma, with increases of abuse in their homes that lead them to escape their unbearable circumstances. With no alternative, they are living on the streets and are up against the dark side of survival. There is a likelihood of substance abuse, early parenthood, impulsivity, depression and the most gut-wrenching of all — prostitution. Within 48 hours of being on the streets one in five girls become involved in sex trafficking in the state of Alaska.

Currently, the Mat-Su has no safe-harbor shelter while our numbers show more than 200 youths without parent care or adult supervision (those are the ones we know about). Please consider joining MY HOUSE (Mat-Su Youth Housing), a non-profit organization seeking solutions for basic needs of safety, shelter, warmth and nourishment.

We will meet at 10 a.m., Nov. 8 at Wasilla Bible Church, behind Burchell High School. Please note the change of date. All are welcome. For more information, visit online myhousematsu.org.

Michael P. Carson

MY HOUSE

Wasilla