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a Non-Profit 501 (C) (3) Organization Founded by Award-Winning Christian Author/Speaker Lisa Freeman "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal…" Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
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~AWARDS~
Best New Book of The Year 2007 Writer of the Year, 2000 & 2007 Honorable Mention Awkward Romance Contest May 2006 All Time Best Award Fanstory.com 2006 Finalist in Chicken Soup Contest 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award, 2005 2nd Place Photo Say More Contest 2005 Top Story in Obadiah Contest 2002 2 Top Stories in Obadiah Contest 2003 Diploma from Guideposts for Teens, 2002 Merit Certificate from Writer's Digest, 2000 & 2001
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~STATISTICS ON RUNAWAYS~
Did you know that... -1.6 million children run away from home each year -1.3 million youth are homeless wandering the streets every day -1 of 7 kids between the ages of 10-18 will run away -71 % of all runaways are in danger of encountering hard drugs, substance abuse, criminal activity, physical & or sexual abuse -63 % of all runaways are girls -1/3 of all runaway girls become prostitutes within 48 hours These are only the latest statistics taken by the National Incidence Study for Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Throwaway children (NISMART, 2002). Sadly, that number is growing at a rapid rate every year. Why do teen’s runaway? There can be a number of reasons. Out of the 115,000 calls handled by the National Runaway Switchboard, 36 % report problems with siblings, recent divorce, or remarriage issues. Other top reasons include pressure from friends or a romantic relationship, neglect or emotional mistreatment and problems with school officials. The NISMART study shows that children age 15 to 17 make up nearly two-thirds of the entire runaway or throwaway population. And of the more than 1.6 million runaways, 71 percent are in danger of encountering hard drugs and substance abuse, criminal activity and sexual or physical abuse. "The most basic problem faced by runaways is money for food and shelter," the National Runaway Switchboard points out in an information packet. "They may start panhandling for change, but eventually, a runaway will most likely turn to illegal means to survive. Many will become involved in prostitution, pornography, drugs, stealing and other crimes." Statistics show that:
Is this what we want for our teens coming up today? I don’t think any parent, teacher, or school official ever wants one child/teen to fail at life—let alone 1.6 million. So let’s stand together and put a stop to this nonsense once and for all. I would like to offer hope and life to this desperate young generation through my new release novel “Run For Your Life.” Being a runaway myself from the ages of 13-15, I can relate to what troubled teens feel, think, and want. And by allowing them to see/read all the horrible things I faced (digging through garbage bins to survive, working at low-life jobs, begging on street corners, nearly freezing to death, and jumping into cars with anyone—even rapists, convicts and murderers), I’m certain they won’t want to leave home. In fact, I think they will be running in a whole new direction—to a better life. Also being a parent of four teenagers and working in youth ministry for the past ten years, I have a heart for parents. It’s obvious there are no perfect teens, just as there are no perfect parents, but if both parents and teens learn to work together and make better choices, I believe they’ll discover as my children and I have—a whole new life. I’ve enclosed a copy of “Run For Your Life” for your review and a CD presentation in Power Point. The entire presentation is about five minutes long. I hope this will fit into your busy schedule in the near future. Then together, hopefully we can put a stop to our kids/teens choosing the streets and allow them the chance to choose life—real life. Many middle schools have already showed interest and would like to make Run For Your Life a part of their “Health” curriculum. Other adult education programs are using this as a tool to teach their students English at the same time as some valuable life issues. |
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