Let's Talk

We're kicking off season 3 with the incredible Angela Lee, Director at loveisrespect.org. In this episode we discuss domestic violence, teen dating violence, creating a safety plan, self-care, and the importance of open communication. love is respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive an...

Fresh out of Pride Month we are joined by Dr. Jonah DeChants from The Trevor Project to discuss their 2022 Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health .  Through the episode we learn about how youth self-identify, access to mental health resources, and how adults can be the person a young person in need can confide in.  From The Trevor Project: "Capturing the experiences of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ y...

In this episode we are thrilled to learn from Kimberly Waller, the Associate Commissioner for the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB). Kimberly goes into great detail about the FYSB’s priorities, what effective community-base outreach looks like, and tips on how you can combat youth homelessness locally. Transcripts for the Let's Talk Podcast are available at 1800RUNAWAY.org/transcripts

For episode 3 we are grateful to have an enlightening conversation with Larel Jacobs (of Childhelp.org) about reporting child abuse, having tough conversations with young people, and why more and more children under the age of 12 are reaching out to crisis service hotlines like Childhelp and National Runaway Safeline. Childhelp is a US non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatm...

In episode 2, we spotlight the winner of our National Runaway Prevention Month 2021 “Shine a Light” Award, the Fenix Youth Project. Led by Executive Director Amber Green, the organization serves youth in eastern Maryland through their 24h youth drop-in-center, and youth organizing group programs. Through this episode, we learn about the mission of the Fenix Youth Project, how they demonstrate true...

In the season 2 premiere episode, Maria Taylor, NRS Prevention and Youth Engagement Coordinator, is joined by Sophia Eftimiades, a Case Response Specialist at Polaris. Throughout this episode, Maria and Sophia discuss definitions and signs of human trafficking, the important work being done throughout Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and how human trafficking intersects with NRS’ work and commit...

Zachary Mallory is a Kansas City native, whose passion is in mental health and suicide prevention. In their community, they provide services through Trauma-Informed Care and by prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout their work both professionally and as a member of the NRS Youth Advisory Board. In this episode, Zachary shares their experiences with homelessness and housing insecur...

Keeley BadWarrior is from Rapid City, South Dakota, where she is currently a student at Western Dakota Technical College studying business and technology. Outside of her coursework, Keeley holds multiple jobs and is an active member of both the NRS Youth Advisory Board and the Rapid City Youth Action Board. In this interview, Keeley shares her experiences with homelessness and housing instability...

EJ Valez joins us from Kutztown College. In addition to their ambitious course load, EJ works four part-time jobs, is a member of both the NRS Youth Advisory Board and the Youth Council Advisory Board with the National Network for Youth, and serves as a consultant for Youth Collaboratory. In this interview, EJ describes how they have experienced the intersection of youth homelessness, disability,...

Raised in the Chicago suburbs, Rachel Litchman is a student studying Sociology and Women and Gender Studies at the University of Wisconsin. She is a member of the NRS Youth Advisory Board and the Dane County Youth Action Board. Rachel shares her experiences as a young person navigating the failures of our health care system, and how lack of diagnosis impacted the trajectory of her life.

Bureau and partner organizations nationwide kick off National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM), Susan explains why NRPM is so important to NRS, and also to the runaway and homeless youth field as a whole.