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Green Light Project
Goes National!
Four years
ago, Huck House staff wondered how to tell the Columbus
community about not just
what
we do but
why
we do it. That conversation led to the Green Light Project.
We decided to distribute thousands of green light bulbs to
homes, businesses, churches, schools, etc. Our goal is to
shine a light on issues that compel teens to run away. We
want our teens to know that we care about their safety.
Within the first couple of years, Huck House distributed
10,000 green light bulbs around Columbus. We earned
recognition from The National Runaway Switchboard and The
National Network for Youth for the creativity of the idea.
To say the least, we were proud. Last year alone, 10,000
homes were lit green in Columbus. The AEP sky band was also
lit green in support!
This November, Columbus will not be the only city lighting
up green. The Green Light Project is now a national
campaign. Other cities in Ohio will be glowing green. And
can you believe that if you go to Chicago, Connecticut,
Oklahoma, Kentucky or Hawaii you will also be able to see
beams of green lights glowing throughout the night this
November? That’s right folks; the Green Light Project has
gone National!
Tell everyone you know that Huck House is setting a goal
this November of 15,000 light bulbs.
Showing your support is as easy as flipping a
switch!
If you would like to get your neighborhood
lit green, or to volunteer with distributing them other
places, please contact Kyra Crockett at kcrockett@huck-house.org
or by phone at 614.298.4104. We need your help to show
teens all over the nation that we care!
Did you know?
-
Huckleberry
House served 1,409 youth in FY 2007
-
In
2006, 2,924 teenagers from Ohio called the
National Runaway Switchboard Hotline
-
Family problems are the most frequently identified
reasons why teenagers are on the streets
-
1
out of 7 youths will runaway from home before the
age of 18
. . . More on The Green
Light Project
Raising Awareness Around The Country
Runaway and homeless youth is a serious problem. It is not
a local problem. This is a National problem that many
people are becoming more aware. Ludacris, a Rapper/R&B
performer, started The Ludacris Foundation. They are
helping youth help themselves. Last November, the
foundation partnered with the National Runaway Switchboard
to promote awareness for National Runaway Prevention
month. Ludacris hosted Saturday Night Live and performed
his hit
Runaway Love
with Mary J. Blige for the very first time. This hit single
has become an inspiration to runaway youth across the
country. Check out the National Runaway Switchboard at
www.1800runaway.org for the Public Service Announcement (PSA)
and video. Listen locally for the PSA on radio stations
this fall.
10th Annual Turn
Around Columbus Youth Award & Recognition Banquet
Former Huckleberry
House teen, Jacki McCulley, will be this year’s
guest speaker at the 10th Annual Turn Around
Columbus Youth Award and Recognition Banquet.
[See
Article]
Cirque du
Soleil Benefit Night for Huckleberry House
Cirque du Soleil has chosen Huckleberry House as
its’ local charity for their third visit to
Columbus. [Read more]
"Why Kids Run"
The headline on the National Runaway Switchboard
website reads “Family issues remain top reason
for running from home.” Most teenagers at Huck
House ran away or were kicked out of their homes
as a result of a conflict with their parents.
[See “Why Kids Run”]
The Columbus
Dispatch Feature on Runaways
One in seven youth will run away from home
before the age of 18. Statistics indicate that
even if a youth isn't thinking of running away,
they probably know someone who has or is
contemplating the prospect. Family problems do
not discriminate. Problems affects all genders,
races and economic classes. [Read
more]
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