Simple exterior of the National Runaway Switchboard Chicago headquarters

National Runaway Switchboard:
There Are Always Options

by Beth DePauw

At 19 he found himself alone and without options. He had just gotten off the bus in Arizona and found himself homeless, penniless and hungry. He could either steal and go to jail or call the National Runaway Switchboard to find some answers.

Choosing the latter, the National Runaway Switchboard connected him with local employment agencies, got him something to eat and found him a place to stay, all within one hour.

Between 1.3 million and 2.8 million runaway and homeless youth live on the streets of America. Life on the streets will expose them to drugs, disease, prostitution and often leave youth without resources.

The National Runaway Switchboard provides youth will a toll-free, confidential, and non-judgmental crisis intervention hotline. This hotline is open 24 hours, 365 days a year, and is run by extensively trained volunteers.

The Chicago branch of the National Runaway Switchboard is located at 3080 N. Lincoln Ave. While it may have a simple exterior, the events that transpire within this building can be life changing.

The heart of the office is the call center. The call center has four computer stations with eight computers. It is here that “Liners” take calls.

Every call that comes to the National Runaway Switchboard is completely anonymous, unless the caller wishes to reveal their identity. Runaways receive assistance on finding a place to stay, medical aid and food. An extensive local and national network helps provide these and many more services.

Other services that the National Runaway Switchboard provides include message delivery, mediated calls and the Home Free Program, a partnership with Greyhound Lines Inc. that allows runaways free transportation home. This program began in 1995 and has since issued more than 10,000 tickets.

Volunteers make up the heart of this organization.

“Volunteers are crucial to the operation of the hotline,” volunteer coordinator Molly Billette said. “We would never be able to answer 200-300 calls per day without their generous contribution.”

In order to take calls from the youth and their families, volunteers must go through an extensive training program. Volunteers must be 16 years old and complete more than 30 hours of training to answer calls.

“You have to be sensitive to everything and everyone,” said Simintha Esson, a 22 year old switchboard volunteer and Loyola University Chicago graduate. “You have to be totally human.”

The National Runaway Switchboard is always in need of volunteers. If you are interested in giving your time, feel free to check out their Web site, www.National Runaway Switchboardcrisisline.org, or send an e-mail to volunteer@National Runaway Switchboardcrisisline.org.

If you are thinking about running away or want to talk about your options, call the toll-free National Runaway Switchboard hotline at 1(800)621-4000.

“This job is very rewarding. I love being there,” said Esson. “It feels really good to help someone even if you never see them and they never see you.”