WI Association For Runaway Services

The mission of WAHRS is to provide the best, most efficient, and effective services to runaway and homeless youth, including those who are pregnant and/or parenting. WAHRS, through a cooperative, strategically organized system between private member agencies, provides programs that strengthen families, prevent family dissolution, promote self-sufficiency, and assure safe, stable, and supportive homes for youth, young parents and their children.

1980-1981 The Wisconsin Association for Runaway Services was founded in 1979 by the four existing (federally funded) runaway programs in the state. The Association, along with representatives from the Department of Social Services, planned five regional workshops on runaways throughout Wisconsin. The widely publicized workshops targeted youth serving agencies and professionals. The workshops attracted the attention of non-profit agencies already serving runaways, in addition to public agencies such as police, social service, juvenile courts and schools. Runaway service methodology in the voluntary sector was explained and voluntary agencies that were already working with runaways (but without specific funding targeted for working with this population) were identified and submitted proposals.

Since this inception of statewide services, WAHRS has grown to the present day 23 programs serving HUBS throughout the state. This system ensures all youth in WI access to services.

Each year over 26,000 Wisconsin Families are confronted with a profound crisis-the running away of their child. Young people run away from home for a variety of reasons. In most instances, they leave because of a family conflict, typically by lack of communication. Other times, they are forced out of their homes by parents or leave to escape sexual or physical abuse. Returning a youth to this environment without an attempt at resolution can result in more runaway episodes, continuing family conflict, or even more tragic consequences. With the exception of some special cases, changes in the law have shifted responsibility for relieving this crisis from the juvenile justice system to the individual, family, and voluntary agencies. The Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services, formed in 1979, is a coalition of community based, voluntary, non-profit agencies. The Association's members provide preventive and crisis counseling, temporary shelter, and referral services to these troubled youth. Family counseling is also provided to bring about reconciliation with parents whenever possible. Program services are available on a walk-in basis, as well as through 24 hour crisis hotlines.