Switched-On :: Blog

Sometimes a parent, guardian, or other relative of a youth who has run away may be extremely distressed after an event where the youth has left home. They might be at a loss as to what to do, what steps to take to help re-connect to their children. This is especially difficult in the few hours after the realization that the youth has run away or perhaps gone missing. Volunteers at the National Runaway Switchboard’s crisis hot-line can help callers who are people in a youth’s life to figure out what to do in the immediate hours after someone has run away or has simply not showed up back home. Volunteers can assist callers in laying out the steps that may help them assess the situation and find out what happened to the youth. They can also assist them in alerting community members about a youth who has left home or is missing.
- Allyson

Reading this blog may help people understand exactly what NRS is all about and the services they provide to runaway youth, however, have you considered how you can help NRS? Besides using our services and allow NRS to help you, there are also a number a ways you can contribute. If you live in the Chicagoland area (where NRS is based) and are 16 years old or older, you can volunteer at the NRS hotline as a Liner. We offer extensive training to prepare our volunteers and allow you to make a real difference in someone’s life. For those that live in the rest of the country consider joining our Street Team. What the Street Team does is spread awareness of the runaway issue, as well as, the NRS hotline. We provide you with ideas and talking point to help your contribution, and with everything you do to help, points are added to your Street Team account that can be used to win prizes. Do your part and help NRS spread its influence to those in need.
- Ruben

It might be scary to be calling a hotline and talking to someone who is basically a stranger. It could feel awkward telling someone whose face you can’t even see that you’ve run away, or are thinking of running away. Or maybe you’re an adult in a teen runaway’s life who is worried sick about their welfare. At our crisis line, however, this is what we volunteer for, what we work towards: helping those in need at their time of crisis when there doesn’t seem to be anyone to turn to. We may ask questions that seem awfully personal, but we promise that when we do this it’s not to gossip or to be really nosy. We do this so we can help you figure out what steps to take, what to do. Everything you say is kept in complete confidence; no calls are recorded, and we make sure to keep what we hear between caller and liner. If you’re scared to talk to someone, don’t worry. We’re there to help.
- Allyson

In my last post, I wrote about the issue of homeless youth who have trouble finding access to food. Along with other resources, NRS can connect callers to places where they can find basic needs like food, clothing, and shelters.  If the caller isn’t comfortable with speaking to the staff/volunteers at a shelter or other place providing basic services, volunteers at the hot line can speak to staff and volunteers at other organizations for you so you can be provided with their services. Crisis line volunteers can also help with information about what to do if you or someone you know is in need of basic needs like those listed.  If you’re concerned about your privacy when calling the NRS hot line, no calls are recorded.  Call 1-800-RUNAWAY for more info.

- Allyson