The numbers are staggering—approximately 550,000 American kids spend over a week on the streets each year... homeless. Many of them are running away from abusive family members or abandoned by parents who refuse to accept them for who they are.
For decades, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RYHA) has helped get these innocent kids off the streets, providing them with basic food and shelter and assisting them in finding long-term housing.
Today, it remains the only federal law that provides these vital services specifically to homeless kids.
This year, the RYHA has been strengthened to better serve today's homeless youth—including special protections against discrimination and exploitation. The updated legislation is before Congress right now, and we need your help to ensure its passage.
These kids have been through enough already. We can't leave them out on the cold, dangerous streets... where they are easy prey for child traffickers and others looking to take advantage of their vulnerability.
Send a message to your Senators today to stand up for homeless youth and reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Trafficking Prevention Act.
Dear [Senator],
As you may know, The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) has helped some of our country's most at-risk kids for 40 years.
Many of these kids are running away from abusive family members or abandoned by parents who refuse to accept them for who they are…
The RHYA is absolutely vital to helping these innocent kids, as they are also some of the most vulnerable to child trafficking.
That's why an updated version of this important legislation—the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act—is before Congress right now. I urge you to pass it as soon as possible.
It will ensure more American kids get off the streets and into safety, protect them from the dangers of sex trafficking, and help them transition from homelessness to hopeful young adults.
We can't keep leaving our kids out on the cold, dangerous streets… where they are easy prey for pimps, traffickers, and others looking to exploit their vulnerability.
Please, stand up for our country's most at-risk kids and reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
