Homeless youth in Sioux Falls can text for help

Hundreds of Sioux Falls youth struggle with homelessness and local advocates are trying to draw their attention to an under-utilized service.

Homeless teens can find support in Sioux Falls by sending a text message or by looking out for big yellow signs that read “Safe Place.”

The national Safe Place program has been a presence in Sioux Falls since 1988, but organizers worry it has gone unnoticed by some. Need is outpacing support when it comes to some of the city’s youngest, most vulnerable citizens, said Melissa Jungemann, runaway and homeless youth services coordinator for Volunteers of America.

The group is partnering with Children’s Inn in an attempt to rejuvenate the Safe Place service and continue offering beds to homeless teens.

“It’s significantly needed in Sioux Falls,” Jungemann said. “Children’s Inn seemed to be a good fit because they are already serving a population of vulnerable people.”

Youth who need help can text the word “safe” and their address or zip code to 69866 and receive information about the nearest designated Safe Place.

Children and teens who run from home can face criminal charges in South Dakota, unlike most states. As a result, many might shy away from help or struggle to trust adults, said Stacey Tieszen, coordinator of Minnehaha County’s Homeless Advisory Board.

“When the people who are supposed to love you the most don’t, it makes it pretty challenging,” Tieszen said.

Public school officials in Sioux Falls have identified 822 youths who were homeless at some point this school year, through March.

The annual tally kept by the Sioux Falls School District tops 1,000 some years, and often exceeds at least 900 students who at some time face homelessness.

Reasons vary for each child, said Tieszen. Disputes with family can drive them away. They might come to Sioux Falls from another state. Many might be gay or transgender.

And for all of them, their options are limited.

Volunteers of America can prevent young runaways from getting stuck in the system with its Family Crisis Intervention Program, Jungemann said. It’s designed to resolve conflicts between parent and child, but “both parent and youth need to volunteer to participate as it doesn't necessarily work when one-sided,” according to the organization’s website.

Those who don’t have that kind of support, or don't have any family nearby face grimmer prospects. Shelters in Sioux Falls don’t admit anyone under the age of 18 for liability reasons, Tieszen said.

“Technically, they’re runaways,” Tieszen said. “If they’re not with their parents or guardians, they’re breaking the law.”

Volunteers of America used to have beds available at its Group Care facility, which closed in March during series of systematic changes. Some of those changes came as a result of Minnehaha County ending its contract with VOA for its juvenile detention diversion program.

The renewed investment in the national Safe Place program comes from VOA’s desire to improve its outreach, Jungemann said.

“We know that youth are leaving their homes, running away for different reasons or being kicked out of their homes,” Jungemann said. “We want to make sure they have a safe place to go.”

Texting works. But youths can also keep eyes peeled for signs. Fire stations, city buses and the Children's Inn all bear the designation, while the VOA is responsible for responding to all who seek refuge.

The service is available to any child, whether they are homeless or not, said Amy Carter, operations director for the Children’s Inn.

Her organization became a designated Safe Place in March, and is also partnering with VOA to supply beds – when available – for its runaway and homeless youth program. Technically, it’s two different partnerships, Carter said.

“Kids can access the Safe Place part, but they’re not necessarily in need of shelter,” Carter said.