November 22, 2019

Duckworth Visits National Runaway Safeline, Recognizes National Runaway Prevention Month

 

[CHICAGO, IL] – U. S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with staff and volunteers at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) the Chicago-based federally-designated national hotline and online service for runaway and homeless youth. Earlier today, Duckworth introduced a resolution to recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month. Photos from today’s visit are available here.

“Every child should have access to a safe place to sleep at night,” said Duckworth. “Yet, far too many young Americans end up on the street with nowhere to go. The National Runaway Safeline is critical in helping youth in times of crisis. I will continue working with organizations like NRS to help bring us closer to our shared goal of keeping runaways, homeless and at-risk youth safe.”

Duckworth met with NRS CEO Susan Frankel, New Moms CEO Laura Zumdahl, Ignite Promise President Jeri Linas, The Night Ministry CEO Paul Hamann, Covenant House CEO Cheryl Hamilton-Hill and La Casa Norte Interim Executive Director Vicki Hadaway.

Duckworth, along with U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan resolution today to recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month. If passed, the resolution would help raise awareness of the nationwide runaway and homeless youth crisis and educate the public on how to help end youth homelessness. Approximately 4.2 million youth run away or experience homelessness each year and many become victims of human trafficking. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Patty Murry (D-WA) also joined Duckworth in introducing the resolution. 

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