Runaway & Homeless Youth Program (RHYP)

The Runaway & Homeless Youth Program, or RHYP, is designed to serve youth ages 12 – 17 years old that have runaway or are thinking about running away from home, are homeless, at risk for being homeless, or, have been removed from home by their family. The program serves both Isabella and Clare Counties .  The focus of the program is to provide youth with a stabilized living environment. The program can provide:

  • emergency shelter and help finding a safe place to live
  • food
  • clothing
  • referrals for counseling, medical care, and mental health care
  • family reunification
  • survival kits
  • transportation
  • referrals for employment and independent living

The Runaway & Homeless Youth Program can offer support, emergency shelter and counseling to help youth solve problems that are keeping them from reaching personal goals. The program also wants to make sure that youth establish a safe place to live. We will help youth use their strengths, talents, skills, wishes, and dreams to make a plan that meets their goals. We are also there if youth just want someone to listen. The program is free. The only requirement is that youth must be willing to participate and want to make changes for themselves. Youth can call us anytime, day or night, 7 days a week. Parents are also welcome to request assistance to benefit the whole family.

When you call us, you can be sure that:

  • You will be listened to.
  • You will be treated with dignity and respect.
  • Youth’s safety is our first concern.
  • Youth’s privacy and maintaining confidentiality are important to us.
  • Youth will design a plan to meet their needs, with the help of Listening Ear staff.

Youth can make the call or be referred by a friend, relative, school, or any community agency.

Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for all services except for the Crisis Center information/referral and crisis hotline that is available by phone 24 hours every day. The Runaway & Homeless Youth Program offers services during regular business hours as well as evening hours (by appointment) to accommodate work and school schedules. On-call staff are available 24 hours every day to respond to crisis and emergencies. Program staff will meet youth at other locations in the community if requested and the meeting place is appropriate for providing service.

If interested call the 24 Hour Crisis Line; (989) 772-2918 for Isabella County and (989) 386-2774 for Clare County.