Bismarck, ND – It is a harsh reality that many young people in Bismarck and across North Dakota face: homelessness. In the last 30 days alone, more than 2,000 children and adolescents in the state have experienced homelessness, with 474 of them coming from the Bismarck Public School District. While the situation is dire for many of these youths, there are some organizations stepping in to offer support.
The Youthworks program, a nonprofit providing services to homeless youth, works year-round to help these vulnerable young people find stability. Program Manager Anita Bohner, who has seen the challenges firsthand, explained the severe dangers homeless youth face when they leave home. “When they leave home, where are they going? And is that safe?” she asked. “How long can they stay there? Are there things they may have to experience to stay there?”
The numbers paint a bleak picture. Of the 2,000 homeless youths across the state, LGBTQ youth make up 25-30% of the population. According to Mark Heinert, the assistant executive director of Youthworks, these young people often face rejection not just from their families, but also from society. “People might say there can be families that are less accepting of who they are,” Heinert explained. “And that’s true. That does happen. But there are also sometimes families that are incredibly accepting, but the world isn’t.”
Despite the common stereotype, the term “runaway” is often not an accurate description of these youths’ circumstances. Experts say many young people do not leave home voluntarily, but rather are fleeing unsafe environments due to abuse, neglect, addiction, or ongoing conflict. “Labeling the runaway as the problem, when a lot of times they’re leaving home because it might not be a safe place,” Bohner remarked.
Winter exacerbates the dangers homeless youth face. With temperatures dropping, many leave home without basic winter clothing, like hats, gloves, or coats. Often, these young people leave discreetly, sneaking out of their homes without alerting anyone. The cold weather increases the desperation of homeless youth, forcing them to seek shelter wherever they can find it, even if it’s not a safe or secure location. Heinert noted that such desperate circumstances make youth more vulnerable to trafficking. “Someone is at greater risk of being trafficked as a human because they don’t know where to go,” Heinert said. “And they might be more desperate about it if it’s really cold out there to go somewhere where at least it’s going to be warm.”
However, there is hope. Youthworks offers a crucial safety net for homeless youth, providing transitional living centers throughout North Dakota, including in Bismarck. These centers offer a safe place for young people to stay for up to 21 days, where they are supported without judgment. During their stay, staff work closely with the youth to develop a plan for their future, offering guidance, support, and resources to help them get back on their feet.
“The need is there 365 days a year,” Heinert emphasized. “If you’re struggling with not having a safe place, where you belong, where you can be heard, you can call us. You can reach out to our organization.”
While the crisis of homeless youth in North Dakota is far from over, organizations like Youthworks play an essential role in providing support and services to those in need. For many young people, these programs offer a lifeline and a chance to find safety, stability, and a sense of belonging.
