Runaway children

WASILLA -- Runaways are children who run from home to uncertain and often exploitive and dangerous living situations. In the Valley, youth may run to a summer wood lot camp, winter "couch surfing" with friends or in some cases congregate in unsupervised houses. Runaways often become involved in substance use and other risky behaviors.

Kids Are People Inc. operates the Saxton Youth Shelter in Wasilla, an emergency shelter serving runaway and homeless youth. The shelter offers confidential, no-cost, family mediation and provides a safe, supervised place for youth to stay while they reconnect with family or find other permanent situations. A third of the 200 children seen at the shelter this year will at some point be runaways.

The National Runaway Switchboard, a clearinghouse that reconnects youth with their families, is championing the observance of National Runaway Prevention Week. Kids Are People and NRS are promoting solutions to the nationwide runaway problem. The NRS provides these insights.

The top three reasons children run away include the following:

Family dynamics -- problems with parents or guardians, conflicts with family rules, blended or extended families and divorce.

Peer or social -- problems with friends, romance, adventure or independence.

Emotional or physical or sexual abuse and neglect.

Teens, before you run away, ask yourself these questions:

What else can I do to improve my situation before I leave?

What would make me stay at home?

How will I survive?

Is running away safe?

Who can I count on to help me?

Am I being realistic?

Have I given this enough thought? What are my other options?

If I end up in trouble, who will I call?

When I return home, what will happen?

What is to be done? The NRC suggests these family communication tips:

Set aside time to talk every day.

Don't expect your family to read your mind.

Be specific about your expectations.

Have patience -- good communication takes time.

Brainstorm ideas before making a final decision.

Ask for input from all family members.

Write things down; make a list of changes you want to see.

Be willing to compromise.

Do fun things together.

Use community resources when you need help.

Community resources are available 24 hours a day at the Saxton Youth Shelter at 376-7233; Mat-Su Juvenile Assessment Center at 357-6713; Life Quest at 376-2411; Alaska Family Resource Center at 746-4080; and the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-621-4000 and at your church or school.

John Stein is the executive director for Kids Are People Inc., which operates the Dorothy Saxton Shelter in the Valley.