AFC Youth Ministries

AFC Presents: National Runaway Prevention November 2024

AFC Youth • November 26, 2024

National Runaway Prevention Month: Raising Awareness and Providing Support

Every November, National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM) shines a light on one of the most overlooked issues affecting vulnerable youth in our country: running away. It is a time to raise awareness, educate the public, and encourage proactive steps to prevent young people from fleeing their homes. Runaway youth face unimaginable challenges, from exposure to homelessness and exploitation to isolation and trauma. NRPM serves as a reminder that by working together as a community, we can help keep children safe, support families, and ultimately prevent young people from running away.

Understanding the Crisis of Youth Running Away

Each year, over 4.5 million youth between the ages of 12 and 17 will run away from home, according to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). The reasons behind these decisions vary greatly, but they often stem from a combination of factors such as family conflict, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or struggles with mental health and identity. While many of these teens eventually return home or find a safe place to stay, many others are at risk of long-term consequences, including homelessness, addiction, trafficking, and mental health crises.

The emotional toll of running away is often underreported. For the youth who run, it’s rarely a simple choice—it’s a desperate act of survival. They might feel like they have nowhere to turn or believe that fleeing is the only way to escape the pain they are experiencing. Without proper resources and support systems, these young people can find themselves trapped in dangerous situations, further escalating their vulnerability.

What National Runaway Prevention Month Aims to Achieve

NRPM aims to change this narrative by increasing awareness and encouraging conversations about youth homelessness and runaway prevention. The month-long observance is a call to action for communities to come together and take steps to help prevent youth from feeling like running away is their only option.

Here are the core goals of NRPM:

Raising Awareness: NRPM provides a platform to educate the public about the prevalence of runaway youth, as well as the factors that contribute to these situations. By shedding light on this issue, the goal is to foster a more informed and compassionate society that is better equipped to support at-risk youth.
Supporting Prevention Efforts: Beyond awareness, NRPM works to promote prevention programs and services that help families before a runaway crisis occurs. These services might include counseling, support for families in crisis, or outreach programs that provide resources to young people in need.
Promoting Safe Options: For youth who feel they have no choice but to leave home, NRPM helps connect them with safe shelters, hotlines, and support networks. The National Runaway Safeline, for example, offers confidential counseling and resources to young people and families, providing a lifeline during moments of crisis.
Engaging the Community: By encouraging local communities to come together, NRPM fosters collaboration between schools, social services, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and nonprofits. Community-wide efforts help ensure that youth who are at risk of running away have multiple, trusted points of contact for support.

How You Can Get Involved

There are many ways individuals, organizations, and communities can participate in NRPM, helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable youth:

Donate to Youth Services: Many nonprofit organizations that focus on runaway prevention, such as the National Runaway Safeline, rely on donations to provide critical services. Contributing to these programs can help ensure they continue to provide a lifeline for young people in crisis.

Volunteer or Partner with Local Agencies: Many local organizations offer volunteer opportunities to support runaway and homeless youth. Volunteering your time or expertise can make a lasting impact on the lives of at-risk youth.

Spread Awareness: NRPM encourages social media campaigns, educational events, and local outreach to raise awareness. You can play a role by sharing information about the signs of runaway risk, the resources available, and how to support youth in need.

Advocate for Policy Change: Advocacy is another critical aspect of NRPM. Communities can work to influence local and national policies that better address the root causes of youth homelessness and ensure there are enough resources available to support runaway prevention and intervention.

Key Takeaways

National Runaway Prevention Month serves as an essential reminder that every young person deserves a safe home and a supportive community. Running away is not a choice, but a sign that something is terribly wrong in a young person's life. By raising awareness, providing resources, and supporting prevention efforts, we can help reduce the number of youth who feel they have no other option but to leave home. Through collective action, we can make sure that more young people have the opportunity to thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, resources are available. The National Runaway Safeline provides confidential support, available 24/7. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY or visit their website for more information.

This November, let’s all commit to being part of the solution and taking steps to keep our youth safe and supported—today and every day.

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Choosing Life and Building Hope: Suicide Prevention Week & Healthy Relationships

By AFC Youth • September 11, 2025

Choosing Life and Building Hope: Suicide Prevention Week & Healthy Relationships Every year, Suicide Prevention Week calls us to pause and reflect on one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities: the loss of life to suicide and the deep pain it leaves behind. It is a time to raise awareness, extend compassion, and remind those who are struggling that there is hope, help, and healing available. At Ambassadors For Christ, this week resonates deeply with our mission. Through our SRAE Healthy Relationships program and our use of Botvin Life Skills Training (LST) , we equip youth with the tools they need not only to avoid destructive paths but also to thrive. These programs are more than curriculum—they are lifelines, giving young people the confidence, resilience, and support systems that protect against both suicide and substance abuse. The Connection Between Relationships, Substance Use, and Suicide Suicide rarely occurs in isolation. It often stems from a complex web of pressures, including feelings of isolation, toxic relationships, low self-worth, or substance abuse. Without the skills to manage stress, build positive relationships, and resist harmful influences, many young people may feel trapped with no way out. That’s why prevention must be holistic . At Ambassadors For Christ, we address not only risky sexual behaviors and unhealthy relationships through Love Notes SRA 4.0 , but also substance abuse and peer pressure through Botvin Life Skills Training . Together, these programs strengthen protective factors —like self-esteem, decision-making, and positive peer connections—while reducing risk factors that can lead to despair or crisis. What Students Learn in Our Programs Love Notes SRA 4.0: Building Healthy Relationships Love Notes empowers youth to understand and practice the skills needed for safe, respectful, and fulfilling relationships. Students learn to: Recognize healthy vs. toxic relationships. Set boundaries and understand consent. Distinguish between love and infatuation. Identify and seek help for dating violence. Communicate effectively and resolve conflicts. Align present choices with future aspirations through “success sequencing.” These lessons help students not only avoid risky behaviors but also experience relationships that bring encouragement instead of harm. Botvin Life Skills Training: Substance Abuse Prevention Botvin LST complements Love Notes by addressing another major risk factor: substance use. Decades of research show that LST can reduce alcohol, tobacco, and drug use by up to 80% , while also lowering rates of violence and aggression. Students develop: Resistance skills to stand strong against peer pressure. Emotional regulation and stress management techniques. Increased confidence, decision-making ability, and self-esteem. Positive peer interactions that build belonging and resilience. When combined, these programs give students the whole toolkit : the ability to navigate relationships wisely, stay free from substance use, and pursue a hopeful, purpose-filled future. Prevention is More Than Crisis Response Too often, suicide prevention is thought of only in terms of intervention once warning signs are present. While crisis support is critical, true prevention begins much earlier. It begins by teaching life skills before a crisis ever arises . By equipping young people with communication skills, boundary-setting, conflict resolution, emotional management, and decision-making tools, we are building resilience that can withstand life’s challenges. Prevention is not just about keeping youth safe today—it’s about helping them step confidently into tomorrow. A Community Call to Action During Suicide Prevention Week, Ambassadors For Christ invites you to join us in strengthening the safety nets for our youth. Here’s how we can make a difference together: Listen deeply to the young people in your life—sometimes just being heard can change everything. Model healthy relationships at home, in schools, and in the community. Support prevention programs like Love Notes and Botvin LST, which address root causes of despair. Spread awareness about available resources, ensuring no one feels alone. Every investment in prevention is an investment in life. You Are Not Alone If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 . Caring, trained counselors are available 24/7 to listen and provide support. At Ambassadors For Christ, we believe that every young person is created with purpose, dignity, and a future worth living for. Through healthy relationships, substance abuse prevention, and life skills education, we are building a culture where hope thrives and despair loses its grip. Together, let’s continue to choose life, build hope, and walk alongside the next generation toward brighter days.

Raising Awareness on August 20: Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

By AFC Youth • July 29, 2025

Raising awareness on august 20th- Southerin HIV aids awareness day

Title: World Hepatitis Day 2025: Protecting Our Youth, Empowering Our Communities

By AFC Youth • July 8, 2025

Each year on July 28 , the world comes together to recognize World Hepatitis Day , a global call to action to raise awareness, fight stigma, and increase access to testing and treatment for viral hepatitis. This year’s theme, “One Life, One Liver”, reminds us just how vital liver health is — and how preventable and treatable hepatitis can be with the right education and support systems in place. At Ambassadors for Christ , we stand on the frontlines of prevention and education through our EQUIP Program , which provides STD prevention education and free testing opportunities to at-risk youth in our community. Hepatitis B and C — two of the most common forms of viral hepatitis — can be spread through sexual contact, making youth-centered sexual health education not just important, but essential. Through EQUIP , young people gain access to: Accurate, judgment-free education on sexual health and hepatitis prevention Free, confidential testing for STDs and hepatitis Resources to understand treatment options and how to protect themselves and others Safe spaces for honest conversations about risk, health, and healing In a time where misinformation can spread faster than any virus, knowledge becomes power. Programs like EQUIP empower youth with the tools they need to take control of their health and build futures free from stigma and disease. On this World Hepatitis Day, we encourage everyone to: Get tested and know your status Educate yourself and others about how hepatitis spreads and how to prevent it Support organizations like Ambassadors for Christ that are doing the work on the ground every day Together, we can prevent new infections, support those living with hepatitis, and build a healthier future — one youth, one family, one community at a time. To learn more about the EQUIP program or to schedule a free testing event, reach out to us at. #WorldHepatitisDay #EQUIPYouth #AmbassadorsForChrist #HepatitisAwareness #OneLifeOneLiver