Greyhound To Provide Free Bus Tickets For At-Risk Youth
Greyhound is providing free bus tickets home or to a safe stable place for runaways, homeless, and at-risk youth this holiday season.
As far as the LGBTQ+ community has come in terms of civil rights and visibility its still important for us to remember that its not the same experience for everyone everywhere. In the United States there is still plenty of bigotry and prejudice against members of our community, especially our youth who might find themselves at the mercy of their small-minded caretakers. According to the National Runaway Safeline approximately 1.6 – 2.8 million youth runaway each year; and it is estimated that up to 40% of those youth identify as LGBTQ+, many of whom will become homeless. Recent reporting from The Trevor Project indicates that 28% of all LGBTQ+ youth have experienced homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives. Greyhound has pledged to once again help struggling youth this holiday season.
Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in North America, is marking its 35th year providing life-saving transportation with its ‘Home Free’ program that helps runaway, homeless, and exploited youth between the ages of 12 and 21 reunite with their families (or legal guardians) through a free bus ticket home or to a stable and safe place. The caveat of providing transportation to a “safe and stable place” is especially important for queer youth who may not be welcome or safe with their families of origin. It is wonderful that Greyhound is mindful of that and respectful of the chosen families we make within the LGBT community. Greyhound started this amazing program in 1987 to demonstrate its commitment to servicing communities nationwide.
In 1995, Greyhound took things one step further and partnered with the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), an organization that helps keep youth who have run away and those who are experiencing homelessness safe and off the streets, in order to amplify the reach of the program. Since combining efforts, the partnership has helped over 18,000 families by providing free bus tickets.
“While we help young people all year round through our Home Free program, its especially vital during the holidays,” said Lourdes Brown, Director of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Greyhound Lines, Inc. “Holidays are about family coming together, and our Greyhound family is devoted to providing young people the chance to reconnect with their families and return to a safe environment.”
In 2022, the NRS and Greyhound saw almost 600 requests for aid. The Home Free program has currently issued more than 220 free bus tickets for the year, valued at nearly $48,000.
“We are honored to continue our partnership with Greyhound Lines and the Home Free program,” said Susan Frankel, Chief Executive Officer, National Runaway Safeline. “Together we can continue to have a positive impact in providing a vital resource for youth and their families, and we look forward to serving as their charitable partner for the Home Free program for many more years.”
If you or someone you know has run away or is experiencing homelessness and wants to come home or needs help, contact 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or visit www.1800runaway.org.
Click here to learn more about the Home Free program.
About Greyhound
Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 1,700 destinations across the continent. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at Greyhound.com. For the latest news and travel deals, follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About The National Runaway Safeline (NRS)
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that youth who have run away, are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of other adverse outcomes are safe and off the streets. Founded in 1971, NRS also operates the federally supported national communication system for youth and families ages 12 to 21, providing critical crisis intervention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each year, NRS makes hundreds of thousands of connections to help and hope through the 1-800-RUNAWAY hotline, online services at 1800RUNAWAY.org, including live chat, email, and forum, and prevention services.
For additional information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org or follow them @1800RUNAWAY on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and @nationalrunawaysafeline on TikTok.
