I am in Indiana this morning. Not the Indiana I grew up in… the other side of the tracks.
One of our board members hosted a house party to build awareness of youth in crisis and also raise money for the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). Michele lives in Lafayette on a country estate. Her husband Gary refers to it as a ‘farm’. I call it a castle. They custom built it. The house has three kitchens, thirteen bathrooms, a wine cellar, a media room, a fitness room, and other gorgeous amenities. I lost count of how many bedrooms but I’m sleeping in the room that the governor stays in.
The evening was a spectacular success. It brought together community, civic, and academic leaders to learn how NRS is on the frontline fighting against human trafficking. Our mission is to keep youth safe and off the street. Runaway and homeless youth are recruited into the sex trade for survival. Michele relayed a heart-wrenching call she handled. The story was about a 12 year old girl that had been repeatedly drugged and raped. She was then thrown out of a car like discarded garbage. The girl was naked and abandoned. She called 1-800-RUNAWAY. And Michele helped her get clothing, shelter and eventually home.
Life is hard especially if you are in that confusing phase between being a child and being an adult. Youth want to be able to take care of themselves. They want to make decisions that make their life better. The world is a scary place and sometimes youth find themselves in peril. That is why NRS is available 24/7/365.
Today, Thursday, November 13th, people around the nation will be lighting candles in support of youth. In Chicago, we’ll be having a candle light vigil at Daley Plaza at 6:30pm. Wherever you are in the country, try to take a moment to light a candle and remember your youth, both; your own adolescent struggles and today’s teens coming of age in very tumultuous times.