Between 1.6 and 2.8 million juveniles in the United States will run away from home this year.
In the District, police have logged a total of 744 cases of missing juveniles so far. As of April 26, 11 were still missing.
There are many reasons why teens leave home, but the National Runaway Safeline says problems in the family are the number one reason youth reach out to their hotline.
Abuse is also among the top reasons children reach out to the national hotline.
In D.C., many young people who leave home are escaping socioeconomic problems, according to Jim Beck, a spokesman for Sasha Bruce, the only youth-specific emergency shelter in the District.
"The young people we see often come from families that are experiencing a lot of stresses, economic stresses, the stress of raising a family in D.C. on a low income," Beck said.
And some teens and their families don't get the help they need because they don’t know where to start.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Use the index below to find resources in your area:
Washington, D.C. | Maryland | Virginia | National
Washington, D.C.
Sasha Bruce Youthwork
Provides shelter, counseling and training to homeless, runaway and neglected youth in D.C.
1022 Maryland Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002 (multiple locations on website)
Information: 202-675-9340
Emergencies: 202-547-7777
Latin American Youth Center
Reunites homeless and runaway youth with their families or helps them find stable housing.
1419 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009 (multiple locations on website)
202-319-2225
So Others Might Eat
Meets the daily needs of homeless people with food, clothing and health care.
71 O Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-797-8806
Martha's Table
Meets immediate needs of homeless people while providing long-term support programs.
2114 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Miriam's Kitchen
Serves breakfast and dinner every weekday and provides other support to homeless people.
2401 Virginia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-452-8926
Maryland
Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers
Reunites homeless and runaway youth with their families or helps them find stable housing.
8700 Georgia Avenue, Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910 (multiple locations on website)
301-495-0441.
Caithness Shelter Home
Provides up to 60 days of temporary shelter for youth between the ages of 12 and 17.
1320 Fenwick Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-589-8444
Hearts and Homes for Youth
Offers youth group homes and foster care support.
3919 National Drive, Suite 400
Burtonsville, MD 20866
301-589-8444
Virginia
The Center for Alexandria's Children
Alexandria's primary resource for the prevention, investigation and treatment of child abuse.
1900 N. Beauregard Street, #200
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-746-6008
Leland House
Provides short-term housing to children and teens of Fairfax County who are in crisis and cannot stay in their home.
13525 Leland Road
Centreville, VA 20120
703-222-3558
Adolescent & Family Growth Center
Provides counseling, treatment and in-home services to children and teens in adoptive and foster homes.
6800 Backlick Road, Suite 200
Springfield, VA 22150
703-425-9200
National
National Runaway Safeline
Provides crisis intervention and information about youth services to runaway teens and children.
1-800-786-2929
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Offers support and resources for victims of domestic violence.
1-800-799-7233
