America has an estimated 1.7 million homeless youth. Many face physical or sexual abuse at home or become homeless due to pregnancy or financial hardship. Homeless youth struggle to survive on the streets and are at high risk of substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and early death. Programs that address immediate needs and provide services like housing, job training, education, and healthcare can help homeless youth regain stability. Overall solutions require efforts to reduce poverty and increase affordable housing.

1. America's Forgotten Youth
“Hey man, can you spare a dime?”

2. There is now a estimated 1.7 million homeless
youth just in America.

3. Why are they homeless?
Physical abuse
Prior to leaving home, 43% of youth report being beaten by a caretaker, and one in four have had
caretakers request sexual activity.

4. 320,000 to 400,000: A conservative estimate of the number of gay and transgender youth facing
homelessness each year.

5. ●A large number of homeless young women either ran away or were kicked out of the home due to
pregnancy. A tenth of homeless and runaway girls are reportedly pregnant. These babies will most
likely be raised on the streets with their teen parent.

6. Some youth may become homeless when their families suffer financial crises resulting from lack
of affordable housing, limited employment opportunities, insufficient wages, no medical insurance,
or inadequate welfare benefits. These youth become homeless with their families, but are later
separated from them by shelter, transitional housing, or child welfare policies

7. Consequences for Homeless teens
Few homeless youth are housed in emergency shelters as a result of lack of shelter beds for
youth, shelter admission policies, and a preference for greater autonomy Many homeless
adolescents find that exchanging sex for food, clothing, and shelter is their only chance of
survival on the streets. In turn, homeless youth are at a greater risk of contracting AIDS or
HIV-related illnesses. Estimates for percentages of homeless youth infected with HIV are
generally around 5%, but one study in San Francisco found that 17% of homeless youths
were infected

8. The prevalence rate for substance use disorders among homeless youth is 85%.

9. The Ultimate Price They Pay
13 of these homeless kids died last night, 13 more will
die tonight, and 13 more will die EVERY night till we
end this !

10. What Can Be Done?
Homeless youth benefit from programs that meet immediate needs first and then help them
address other aspects of their lives. Programs that minimize institutional demands and offer
a range of services have had success in helping homeless youth regain stability
(Robertson, 1996). Educational outreach programs, assistance in locating job training and
employment, transitional living programs, and health care especially designed for and
directed at homeless youth are also needed. In the long term, homeless youth would benefit
from many of the same measures that are needed to fight poverty and homelessness in the
adult population, including the provision of affordable housing and employment that pays a
living wage. In addition to these basic supports, the child welfare system must make every
effort to prevent children from ending up on the streets.

11. I tried to be someone else
But nothing seemed to change
"The Kill" I know now, this is who I really am inside.
Finally found myself
What if I wanted to break Fighting for a chance.
Laugh it all off in your face I know now, this is who I really am.
What would you do? (Oh, oh)
What if I fell to the floor Ah, ah
Couldn't take all this anymore Oh, oh
What would you Ah, ah
What if I wanted to fight Come break me down
Beg for the rest of my life Bury me, bury me
What would you do? do, do, do? I am finished with you, you, you.
Look in my eyes
Come break me down You're killing me, killing me
Bury me, bury me All I wanted was you
I am finished with you
You say you wanted more Come break me down (bury me, bury me)
What are you waiting for? Break me down (bury me, bury me)
I'm not running from you (from you) Break me down (bury me, bury me)
Come break me down (You say you wanted more)
Bury me, bury me What if I wanted to break...?
I am finished with you (What are you waiting for?)
Look in my eyes Bury me, bury me
You're killing me, killing me (I'm not running from you)
All I wanted was you What if I
What if I
What if I
What if I
Bury me, bury me

12. References
● Slide number 1 image taken from
http://idahoagenda.com
● Slide number 2 image taken from
http://www.jedidiahusa.com
● Slide number 3 photo taken from
http://annyjacoby.files.wordpress.com
● Slide number 4 photo taken from
http://bluestarpartynyc.com
● Slide number 6 photo taken from
http://tones4homes.no-ip.org/t4h/

13. References Continued
● Slide 5 photo 7 taken from
http://www.affirmation.org/youth/resources.shtml
● Slide 8, 9 and10 taken from
http://www.socialbranding.org
● Slide 11 taken
http://www.metrolyrics.com/hurricane-lyrics-30-
seconds-to-mars.html