When a young man or woman asks us for some spare change, it is easy to assume that they are simply rebellious adolescents who have left home because they don't want to live by their parents rules, but in fact two of the major reasons that these young people leave their homes are abuse (physical, emotional and/or sexual) and neglect ("Youth" 2007). Furthermore, once these young people are on the street they are much more vulnerable further physical and psychological issues than young people who are living in stable homes ("Youth" 2007), and with the obstacles in their way it is much harder for them to put a life together. It is even more saddening to think that without treatment for these issues, these youth--some of them already parents, may end up raising any future children in a similar environment.
However, the homeless youth of New Brunswick are not suffering alone! There is a community of dedicated organizations that are reaching out in attempts to help them overcome these challenges, such as the Salvus Clinic in downtown Moncton, which helps less fortunate individuals tackle not only physical health problems, but also mental health issues, increasing their chances of being able to recover and get back on their feet.
References
(2007). Youth Homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.shelterhouse.on.ca/article/youth-homelessness-147.asp
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