Greyhound looking to reunite runaway and homeless children with their families for the holidays

This year, Greyhound is continuing their holiday tradition of looking to reunite runaway children with their families.

According to the company, every year, around 400 kids and teenagers who have run away get a free ride home with Greyhound, anywhere in the U.S. It’s part of their Home Free program.

According to FYSB, since 1995, the Home Free program has supported more than 17,000 youth. In 2017, the Home Free program expanded its services to assist runaway and homeless youth (RHY) who are also victims of human trafficking, due to the intersection between youth homelessness and human trafficking. In 2020, the program issued 310 bus tickets to youth ages 12-21, along with an additional 13 tickets issued to guardians or adults who escorted youth to their destination. Together, NRS and Greyhound coordinate the complex logistics involved in helping young people quickly travel to a safe place and find connections to local services and resources.

To be eligible for the program, a young person must be between the ages of 12 and 21 and identified as a runaway or a youth experiencing homelessness. The young person initiates the process by contacting the NRS, either by phone or online. The NRS Crisis Services Team works to confirm their eligibility, screens for signs of human trafficking, facilitates conversations with their families, legal guardians, child welfare professionals, or service providers, and develops a plan for their safe travel. The NRS team works with Greyhound’s call center on travel logistics and ensures the youth have access to food and other basic needs and resources. They also follow up with each young person to ensure their safe arrival at their destination and access to supportive services in the local community.

Home Free can only be used on two occasions by the same person.

Greyhound will also provide a free ticket for the parent or legal guardian of a runaway if the child is under the age of 15.

To find out more about National Runaway Safeline, visit www.1800runaway.org.

If you or someone you know has run away and wants to come home or you need some help, call toll-free 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929).