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HEART OF STEELE

Support coming for community’s homeless teens
By
Joni Hubred, News Editor
Joni Hubred, editor, Steele County Times

It started with a conversation about socks–hundreds of them.

The new Shoe Sensation store in Owatonna worked with the Owatonna Elks on the collection and have begun to distribute them. While I talked with volunteers at the Elks Club, I learn some of the socks will go to students at Owatonna High School.

Students who are homeless.

According to Bridge for Youth, a Minneapolis-based homeless shelter, on any given night, more than 5,000 Minnesota young people are homeless. Teens account for nearly half of the state’s homeless population. Most–if not all–have experienced and/or witnessed the trauma of abuse.

One of the things I’ve learned after writing about this issue is that homelessness takes many different forms, especially for young people. Sometimes, it’s “couch surfing” with multiple friends, living in a relative’s basement, camping in an out-of-the-way spot.

It’s a scary and uncertain place to be, made even more difficult for those who don’t have anyone to advocate for or support them.

Steele County has programs and services for adults and families. There’s a shelter serving women and children, another for men. But what’s out there for a young person who runs to avoid a beating or escape a drug-addicted or mentally ill parent?

Fortunately, a group of caring adults is working on an answer to that question. I hope to write soon about progress begin made toward creating a special place for kids in need.

It’s just the thing we need to ensure everyone is protected and cared for in the heart of our community.

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