Empire State Building 'Glows Green' for National Runaway Prevention Month

"Running in the Shadows" campaign brings awareness to runaway issue, turns communities and cities across the nation green

CHICAGO, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- From the Empire State Building in New York to front porches across the country, America will glow green this November as part of the National Runaway Switchboard's (NRS) Green Light Project during National Runaway Prevention Month.

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National Runaway Prevention Month is a public education campaign spearheaded by NRS and the National Network for Youth to raise awareness about the youth runaway crisis in America and to educate people about prevention and solutions.

An estimated 1.6 to 2.8 million youth run away each year in the United States. To bring greater understanding of this national problem, and to help those affected, numerous individuals and organizations throughout the country are planning events during November.

"We want to get youth and adults talking about the seriousness of this situation and understand that help is available; there are alternatives to running," said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director.

"Running in the Shadows," the theme of this year's campaign, describes the millions of youth who are on the streets, blending in and falling through the cracks.

Green Light Project

From the Empire State Building, to an NRS Street Team handing out 2,000 green light bulbs in Chicago, buildings and front porches will glow green this November as part of NRS' Green Light Project. The program aims to get people talking about the runaway issue and ways to prevent youth from running away. Organizations across the country will be giving out green light bulbs and holding events on Nov. 4, and throughout the month of November in support of the campaign.

Spirit of Youth Benefit

The Spirit of Youth Benefit in Chicago is NRS' annual fundraiser that recognizes individuals and organizations that assist those "running in the shadows" by helping to keep America's runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the street. This year's Spirit of Youth award recipient is Coldwell Banker Charitable Foundation, who will be honored as part of National Runaway Prevention Month on Nov. 12. This year's event Platinum Sponsor is United Airlines, and the Gold Sponsors are Chicago Tribune, Radio Flyer and Greyhound Lines, Inc., a FirstGroup America company.

To learn more about NRS and National Runaway Prevention Month, visit http://www.1800RUNAWAY.org.  

SOURCE National Runaway Switchboard