Street life is no life for kids. So we celebrate each brighter future that 1736 Family Crisis Center friends, funders, and volunteers make possible for troubled young people.

When 17-year-old Zack* arrived at 1736 Family Crisis Center's emergency youth shelter, he came in desperate need of help to turn his life around. In the previous two years, fights at home and school had propelled him into the streets as a runaway four times, with one stay lasting for a month.

Zack had never known his father and he grew up watching his stepfather beat his mother. From this abusive male authority figure, he had learned to handle most problems with anger and aggression. The teenager's behavior became increasingly disruptive after Zack's stepfather moved out. As he and his mother struggled to survive, their domestic conflicts escalated.

Emergency youth shelter staff soon discovered, however, that the menacing posture Zack often assumed at home masked a hurting youngster who thought poorly of himself and felt largely unappreciated by the people in his life. Fights with his mother and at school, Zack related in an early counseling session, were fueled by the frustration and despair he had felt as a child and adolescent caught in a violent, non-nurturing household with few material possessions.

Helping Zack successfully address these feelings became an important treatment goal, along with providing the caring support and encouragement he deeply craved. Zack's treatment plan drew on our staff's expertise both with runaway and homeless youth and with domestic violence. When he exhibited a talent for drawing, staff noted and praised Zack's gift and urged him to explore a life plan that would include career options where he could effectively utilize his creativity.

To support Zack's short-term goal of transitioning away from home to safe independent living, staff immediately went to work helping him apply for, and secure, enrollment in a local Job Corps program. As these plans jelled - and he made progress on anger management and other treatment issues - Zack changed from a quiet, withdrawn loner to a more hopeful, integrated member of the shelter family. As such, he began to look out for the younger kids in shelter care.

Zack's transformation continues. A recent phone call from the young man's mother (the two are now connecting positively) affirmed that Zack is "doing great" at the Job Corps. Most important, he has learned to value both himself and the new life he is working valiantly to build on the promising start he made at 1736 Family Crisis Center's emergency youth shelter.

*Name is changed to protect client confidentiality

Children and teens on the streets face multiple dangers to their immediate and long-term well-being. Some girls and boys who turned to 1736 Family Crisis Center's emergency youth shelter for help talk about what they found:

"1736 has given me lots of opportunities. And choices on where I want to go. Being here has also helped me to get along with my Mom - well, at least we got that started! It is wonderful to have a place like that. I know that lots of kids out there need a place like that." Tom*, 16

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"I've given staff some headaches, but you have made me feel part of a home and a family. My best experience has been to meet people who really care for us." Tricia*, 15

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"You all have helped us grow and discover a whole new person. Thank you for your friendship, love, support, and understanding." Alicia*, 16

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"You have made me feel more like somebody besides an uncontrollable teen. You made me realize who I am, and that really made a difference in my life. I will never forget those words you told me - that I have a gift and I am talented." Rob*, 15

*Names are changed to protect client confidentiality

1736 Family Crisis Center's emergency youth shelter offers troubled girls and boys ages 10 through 17 two weeks of safe refuge, counseling, recreational activities, help to reunify with parents or to find other safe placement, and other aid. We welcome teens 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Counseling for children and teens not requiring immediate shelter is available at our community service centers throughout Los Angeles.

Our 24-hour youth services crisis hotline offers immediate help and referrals. You can reach us now at: (310) 379-3620. For more information, click here.