Hi Michigan Librarians, I wanted to share some resources for you to help support the youth in your community during National Runaway Prevention Month. According to the Department of Education more than 36,000 children in Michigan’s elementary, middle, and high schools who face homelessness so “chances are you are already serving teens who are experiencing homelessness, and there are ways to make sure they know the library is a welcoming place and to connect them with services.” To see a breakdown of the statistics in your community: https://poverty.umich.edu/data-tools/child-homelessness-in-michigan/ The National Runaway Safeline has some great resources, including: -Free Educational and Outreach Materials: https://www.1800runaway.org/free-promotional-materials/ -Presentations about the National Runaway Prevention Month for the community, social media posts and more. https://www.1800runaway.org/nrpm/ -Runaway Prevention Curriculum. "a free, evidence-based, interactive, 14 module curriculum intended to educate young people about alternatives to running away as well as to build life skills so that youth can resolve problems without resorting to running away or unsafe behavior." https://www.1800runaway.org/providers-educators/kids-call/ -They also have prevention specialists that will lead a virtual youth group discussion: https://www.1800runaway.org/providers-educators/kids-call/ And there is a good article here how libraries can support their young people: https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/serving-homeless-youth.html In Michigan the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness also has some great resources: https://mihomeless.org/index.php/empower/#HAM Thanks! Mary Jo Mary Jo Vortkamp B.A., M.L.I.S. Manager and Children's Librarian Franklin Branch of the Detroit Public Library 13651 E. McNichols (313) 481-1742 Hours: M, W & S 10-6 T & Th 12-8 [DPL Logo]<http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org> Detroit Public Library Disclaimer This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual(s) addressed in the message. If you are not the named addressee, you should not disseminate, distribute, or copy this e-mail. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, distributing, or copying this e-mail is strictly prohibited.