If you are 15 or under and run away, you may be picked up by a police officer and returned home. This is a status offense and may result in a referral to Family Court. Running away is not considered a legal offense if you are 16 or older.
No matter how old you are, running away is a serious matter and seldom the best way to deal with your problems.
If you must get out of the house to think things over, its better to go to "THE SAFE HOUSE" a runaway/homeless youth shelter located in Jamestown, NY
661-9446 or 1-800-724-0461
NATIONAL RUNAWAY HOTLINE
- P O Box 12428
- Austin, Texas 78711
- Phone:1-800-231-6946
If you ask, they will not tell your parents where you are. They will also try to help find a place for you to stay. Medical and counseling services, referrals for confidential message relay from you to your parents.
NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD
Crisis intervention, information and referrals.
AGNES HOME
- Phone:(716) 661-3897
- Toll Free:1-800-252-8748
Open to all victims of domestic violence and their children. Provides advocacy, counseling, case management, and life skills programs.
ARROWHEAD APARTMENTS
(Chautauqua Opportunities)
- 10825 Bennett Road
- Dunkirk, NY 14048
- Phone:366-8176
CHAUTAUQUA OPPORTUNITIES WEBSITE
Appartments located in Dunkirk, Frewsburg, Mayville, Jamestown, Brocton, and Silver Creek. Four bedroom, full basement houses desigend to be transitional homes for low to moderate families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Two bedroom apartments at Arrowhead with refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer for small families. Designed to provide safe, decent and affordable rental units to low-income teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting. Girls must be between the ages of 16 - 19 to enter the program and must leave by age 21. Hours: 8:30AM - 4:30PM.
COBURN BLOCK APARTMENTS
(Chautauqua County Rural Ministries)
- 127 Central Avenue
- Dunkirk, NY 14048
- Phone:366-1787
Provides some emergency, short term housing, and long term housing for low income tenants for one night or up to a few months. Apartments are completely furnished. Must meet low income guidelines.
RURAL MINISTRY WEB PAGE
HOUSING OPTIONS MADE EASY, INC.
- 75 Jamestown Street
- Gowanda, NY 14070
- Phone:(716)532-5508
Housing Options is committed to promoting safe, affordable housing for recipients of mental health services in Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany counties. Provides rental stipends to eligible individuals based on their household income. Provides start-up monies for furniture and household goods for those who are homeless and persons with demonstrated need.
THE SAFE HOUSE - CRISIS SHELTER
(Chautauqua Opportuniteis, Inc.)
- 14-16 E. Sixth Street
- Jamestown , NY 14701
- Phone:661-9446
CHAUTAUQUA OPPORTUNITIES WEBSITE
Shelter provides emergency food, clothing, housing and advocacy for youth in crisis. Counseling, case management, information and referral services are provided on site as well as on the 24 hour hotline. Program provides 90 days of aftercare for all discharged youth.
TRANSITIONAL INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM (TILP)
(Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.)
- 14-16 E. Sixth Street
- Jamestown , NY 14701
- Phone:661-9446
CHAUTAUQUA OPPORTUNITIES WEBSITE
Lukes Place program is designed to provide semi independent living options for youth ages 16 - 21 that are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, or live in an unsafe environment. The program has two fully furnished apartments. Each has occupancy for two program participants of the same gender.
Youth must be willing to work toward permanenc goals, gain life skills and work to self-sufficiency. Case management, service referrals, crisis counseling provided on site. Youth must be in school full time, employed full time or part education and employment. Fee is $100 per month.