December 15, 2006

For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Pat Stoiber, Director of Marketing and Fund Development

Youth Service Bureau

101 South Jefferson Street

Woodstock, IL. 60098

815.338.7360

pstoiber@ysb4kids.org

Immanuel Ministries of Crystal Lake Help YSB Homeless and Runaway Youth

The Immanuel Ministries Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake has chosen YSB as their confirmation service project. The youth, in the 7th, 8th and 9th grades are gathering supplies for the homeless and runaway youth YSB helps. Personal care items like toothpaste and soap, first aid items like band-aids and cough drops, batteries and flash-lights and cards are being collected. YSB needs these items on hand for the youth who come to YSB in crisis. Some have runaway for hours, days, or weeks and are homeless. Some are from out of county and out of state. Runaways are referred to YSB from the McHenry County Crisis Line, police departments, schools and other agencies. Parents and young people also self refer to YSB.

YSB Intake Coordinators have the first contact with the child. The first thing they do is assess the child’s needs. Are they fed, clothed, healthy? There is usually a long story and background tied into the dynamics of the child to cause them to run away. YSB tries to get them home and get them the help they need. YSB also will find temporary housing for the child if necessary. In most instances, when presented with the right resources, nearly all of these children can find safe and healthy alternatives to a life on the streets. If abuse and neglect is present the Department of Children and Family Services is called. The Youth Service Bureau is available to help any child in need. The phone number is 815-338-7360. The Crisis Line phone number is 1-800-892-8900.

YSB is a not-for-profit organization that has been caring for children and families for 30 years by providing affordable counseling and prevention services to the community. YSB is located at 101 South Jefferson Street in Woodstock. For more information visit our web site at www.ysb4kids.org, or call 815.338.7360.

Back to Home
Back to News
Back to Press Releases