RAP House Celebrates A Special Anniversary

 

Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of their state of the art stand alone shelter called RAP House. This stands for Runaway Alternatives Project. The new shelter was dedicated in New Port Richey December 15, 2000. RAP House Shelter and its non-residential counseling services serve 300-500 youth each year. This shelter replaced the original shelter which opened in 1982 in a house on Wildcat Lane in Hudson. RAP House is a prevention program which serves youth and families in crisis.  In particular, the shelter serves runaway and homeless youth; respite services for youth and families who are experiencing distress; shelter for youth removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect; and services for youth displaying school truancy and ungovernable issues.  While at the shelter the youth receive counseling, case management, life skills training, and have their basic needs met within a supportive and structured environment.  One of the most important roles the program plays is in advocating throughout the community for the needs of youth.  The shelter staff provides outreach and education within the community to shed light on many of the issues faced by youth today.  One of the main coping skills utilized by youth in crisis is running away, which only further worsens their issues and puts their safety at risk.

 

Runaway youth are defined as young people under the age of eighteen who are away from home at least one night without permission of parents or guardians. Some of these youth leave home to escape abusive or otherwise destructive family situations or are told to leave by parents or caretakers.

 

The risks runaways face are endless: malnutrition, psychological disorders, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, robbery, and sexual and physical assault have all been found in high proportions among these young people. One study found the rates of major depression, conduct disorder, and post traumatic stress were three times as high among runaway youth as their peers. HIV may be two to ten times more prevalent among runaway and homeless youth than among other adolescents.

 

The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that one in seven youth between the ages of ten and eighteen will run away. Some will return within a few days, others remain on the streets never to return. Runaway youth face harsh realities on the street such as difficulty meeting basic needs. With no source of income, many youth cannot obtain the basics like food, clothing, and shelter. Once on the street, youth lack support and guidance in their day to day lives. The likelihood of substance abuse becomes higher among runaways. Researchers have found an association between youth substance abuse and suicidal behavior.

 

Rich Bekesh, President of Spring Engineering, Inc. and YFA Board Chair stated “I am pleased that Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc.’s RAP House continues to be an inspiration to so many young people in our community whose future success depends very much on the best efforts of our community now. The mission of RAP House remains unchanged since it first started in 1982. It is to reach our local youth many of whom are in crisis, assisting when we can make a real difference. RAP House helps youth and families develop the skills necessary to reunite them, if appropriate, and to allow them to work through their issues in the future.  Within the safe, structured environment of the shelters, youth can begin to address the issues that brought them to shelter and learn ways of communicating more effectively with their parents.  Through counseling and life skills education, they address other concerns in their lives and develop skills that will assist them, not only while they are in shelter, but after they leave.  As Board Chair I share a passion and dedication for helping young people and their families in their time of need. RAP House and its supporters have helped our youth to find their dreams for nearly 30 years!”

 

YFA through services such as RAP House has a measurable impact in the lives of Florida’s children and families. Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc., (YFA) is a private, community-based, not-for-profit organization with tax-deductible, 501(c)(3) status.  Incorporated in 1970, YFA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is supported by a volunteer Leadership Council that is strongly engaged and widely representative of the community. YFA is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children and licensed annually by the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families (DCF).  Throughout its history, YFA has had a sincere commitment to providing quality services to the greatest number of children and families possible.  More information is available at YFA’s website www.yfainc.org

To arrange a tour of RAP House call 727-835-1777 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  For more information about YFA and RAP House, visit www.yfainc.org.