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TOLEDO, OHIO, November 8, 2021 –Zepf Center is supporting National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM), an annual awareness campaign designed to “shine a light” on the experiences of runaway and homeless youth. We are asking for your assistance this November as we work to call attention to the youth homelessness crisis.
To help reduce runaway incidents and youth homelessness and recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM), Zepf Center is encouraging the community to join them as they raise awareness of the issues faced by runaway and homeless youth. Zepf Center operates the community’s ONLY 24 hour crisis emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth within a 150-mile radius. Youth who are dealing with a difficult, disruptive, or dangerous situation at home can find a temporary shelter at Safety Net where staff will provide them with a hot meal, a warm bed, clean clothing, and a place to think things over with staff to assist in figuring out options.
An estimated 4.2 million young people experience homelessness of some kind in a given year. Housing instability can have detrimental and long-term effects on youth, including limited access to education, poor physical and mental health outcomes, and a higher risk of becoming a victim of violence and/or human trafficking. Homelessness also disproportionately impacts already at-risk populations, including LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color.
As part of National Runaway Prevention Month, we will encourage buildings and monuments across the city to be lit green, the official color of NRPM, on Wednesday, November 17.
Zepf Center CEO, Deb Flores, says “Zepf Center has been a resource for the most vulnerable youth in our community. Since the launch of the runaway and homeless shelter, Safety Net in 2016, Zepf Center has worked tirelessly to provide youth who are dealing with a difficult, disruptive, or dangerous situation at home with a safe place to stay, a warm bed, a hot meal, clean clothing, and space to think things over with staff who are trained in working with this at-risk population..”
To hear more about what local media had to say about the event, click the link below:
Zepf Center staff wore green in support of NRPM, see below:
