Press Releases

MADISON, WI – The Briarpatch Runaway and Homeless Youth Program provides counseling, temporary shelter, information, referral and outreach to adolescent youth and their families.  Last year, the program’s outreach staff served 2,236 unduplicated youth, more than ever before. 

This reflects national trends that show youth homelessness is on the rise.  The New York Times notes, “Federal studies and experts in the field have estimated that at least 1.6 million juveniles run away or are thrown out of their homes annually” (Recession Drives Surge in Youth Runaways, October 25, 2009).

Here in Madison, Briarpatch is on course to serve even more youth than last year.  Briarpatch prevents youth from becoming runaways, reunites fractured families, and helps youth avoid the dangers of drug abuse, truancy, prostitution, unsafe-sex, and many other issues.

Briarpatch’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Program depends on community support.  To help mark National Runaway Prevention Month, Briarpatch encourages community members to become involved however they can.

Recently, a class of 15 community members completed an extensive 60 hour training program to become help-line volunteers.  But that’s not the only way people can help.  Others volunteer to provide temporary shelter to youth, and many choose to make a financial contribution to the agency.

Call 608-261-6211 or visit www.youthsos.org to become a volunteer or make a contribution. 

Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin is a non-profit organization formed on July 1, 2003 through the merger of Briarpatch and Community Adolescent Programs.  The agency provides services for more than 3,000 runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth annually.

For more information, contact Jay Kiefer at

(608) 245-2550 x 307 or jay.kiefer@youthsos.org.

###