Teen Homlessness

Public Speaking Persuasive Speech Outline Imagine If You Didn’t Know Where You Were Going to Sleep Tonight Introduction: “If you don’t know where you’re putting your slippers at night, you can’t do algebra”. According to the National Coalition for the homeless, one out of every three homeless persons is under the age of 18. Between 1. 6 and 1. 7 million people under the age of 18 will experience homelessness this year alone.
A homeless youth is someone who is 21 years of age and younger who is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian and is without shelter where appropriate care and supervision is available, whose parent or guardian are unable or unwilling to provide shelter and care or who lacks a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence. Thesis: Tonight I want to speak to you about the problem of homeless youth, and what you can do to help these teens. Body: I: The truth about being homeless You don’t always see homeless youth. They aren’t all “living on the streets” their living in cars, their couch surfing, their sleeping in peoples hallways or stays at friend’s houses. * It’s the youth that can’t get help because their under 18 and you have to be 18 to rent an apartment unless you’re emancipated. Most landlords won’t rent to teens based on the assumptions about age and irresponsibility and few have never rented before and have no previous landlord to list as references. . * The biggest problem for most youth under 18 is they don’t have the finances to afford an apartment.
Most 1 bedroom apartments go for about $400 – $800 a month. Why are they Homeless? * Some leave home because of parents fighting * Domestic Violence * Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Mental Abuse, Emotional Abuse * Parents done take care of them There are so many reasons why teens leave home. Sometimes they have no other choice to leave home. II: Statistics * As of January 2009 there were 132 homeless teens in Lewiston High School, 32 homeless teens in Auburn High School and 52 teen enrolled In the Ace Program. That’s 215 homeless teenagers. Most of the youth that are homeless suffer from severe anxiety and depression, poor health and nutrition and low self- esteem. They also suffer from other mental health problems and most have substance abuse issues, as well as age – appropriate development and behavioral disabilities. Many are survivors of abuse, neglect, and violence. * Homeless youth often lack life and social skills necessary to, for example, take care of themselves well, maintain personal relationships, and hold a job as well as maintain an apartment. Over 60% of the youth that use any of the New Beginnings Programs have a mental health diagnosed. Now that I have explained to you the real reason why teen are homeless let me show you some ways that can help out these teens. III: Places who help youth * Lewiston and Auburn does have New Beginnings Shelter (491 Main Street) that can help teens from the ages 11 – 19. They have 12 beds and you can stay there for a maximum of 3 weeks depending on your circumstances. It is considered a “dry shelter” which means you are not a loud to use drugs or alcohol during your stay.

They operate 24 hours a day and offers programs and supervision during the day. * New Beginnings Transitional Living Program (597 Main Street) provides housing and supportive services to help youth ages 16 – 19. They help youth learn and develop skills to live independently. These apartments have 24 hour on site staff supervision. * New Beginnings Community Living Program (436 Main Street) helps teens 18-22 provides then with an apartment which they may have a roommate living with them. Also provides case management and helps develop living skills.
Youth have to be in school or working towards their GED or be working to stay at the CLP. New Beginnings also has Community Living Program in the Farmington and Augusta area. * Volunteers of America’s Lewiston – Auburn Homeless Youth Program is an outreach program that provides case management services to connect youth with safe housing and resources. As with the CLP you have to be in school or working toward their GED. VOA recently received a TLP grant and plans to provide scattered site apartment transitional living in he future. * New Beginnings Outreach Program (245 Lisbon Street) is a drop in center for youth ages 14-21 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The drop in center, open Monday through Friday in the afternoon, provides meals, laundry facilities, and supplies and clothing. For youth on a tight budget, these services can help them save money to put towards rent and bills. Other services they include are group activities, case management, help finding housing, referrals to other community resources.
This morning I have giving you why the teens in Lewiston Auburn need your help. I have talked about the possible reasons why they are homeless; I have given you some statistics about the homeless in Lewiston and Auburn High School and told you about the places that help the youth here in Lewiston and Auburn. I am passing out a list of things that you can donate and the place that you can donate then to. I hope when you do your spring cleaning here in a few weeks that you remember those teens that are out there in the towns that you live in and think say I can help them.