The media has estimated that there are 1.5 million homeless youth walking the streets of our cities. Would you believe that there are very few organizations that address the issues of homeless youth?

Even more distressing is how the business/professional communities, government agencies, and even the religious communities could care less. These kids--non-voters who are neither huge consumers nor significant contributors to collection plates--are generally seen as not really any concern of afore mentioned groups. However there are, thankfully, exceptions to this rule.

Now steps the Invisible Youth Network into the picture.

We have no paid positions; everyone is a volunteer. We have no fancy offices or expense accounts; all volunteers work out of their home/offices. One hundred percent of all donations go to our projects and programs. Any and all accrued expenses have a receipt on file. Our financial records are public information, by appointment only.

The Invisible Youth Network is committed to recruiting individuals interested in working with homeless youth as youth advocates. Our volunteers continue to come--and remain with us --because of their own commitment to the work we do. Both the work that they do and the experience that they gain is invaluable to all involved!

Our goal is to continue to motivate people to become engaged in activities that are in the best interests of homeless youth.

In our link section we have added many helpful links that have been verified.

A variety of links have been chosen for teenagers and parents as well as counselors and teachers.

  Hello,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and my organization. I am the Founder & Chairman of the Invisible Youth Network, an expansive online Network founded on March 26, 2007 with the purpose of:

Providing resources and support for an estimated 1.5 million homeless at risk Youth, walking the streets of our cities.

We do this, every day, in cities across America. We carry out our mission through our partner organizations and volunteers who go to the streets in order to find, stabilize, and otherwise help homeless and at risk youth improve their lives.

Our focus goes beyond street outreach and extends to deterrence, research, resources, seminars, training and workshops that we provide to the communities and via the Internet. Although our slogan is "Advocating for America's Youth," our endeavors are towards all homeless and at risk children no matter their geographical location.

We need to help them now. Our volunteers at IYN are dedicating their lives and time to helping them get off the street, and away from the threat of becoming one more death, one more rape, one more crime, one more suicide, one more desperate act that sends them to prison, one more.

Your feedback, help and suggestions are important to us.

Russell T. Hartsaw
Founder & Chairman
Invisible Youth Network

Today's Youth

The Invisible Youth Network supports the leaders of tomorrow by partnering with them today! Teens can bring refreshing insights into our organization. What we forget is that some of the greatest minds in the world were teens when they came up with their great ideas. So, shouldn’t youth as young people have a voice in issues that directly concern them? They will not mysteriously learn how to fulfill their civic duties the day they turn 18. They are a large presence in our community and accordingly, they should have a voice in its decision-making. And, shouldn’t adults recognize that the tradition of making decisions for youth without youth has failed and that their ideas and solutions need to be taken seriously?

In addition Youth are 28% of the United States population, are active participants in community activities, spend more than $150 billion a year and are 100% of the future.

The Lord and The Harley Rider

A man riding his Harley was riding along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, and you have always thought of others in your prayers, I will grant you one, personal prayer request."

The biker pulled over and prayed, "Lord, build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."

The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic, think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required reaching the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."

The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, "Lord, I pray that I and all men could understand women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a Woman truly happy."

The Lord replied, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

Shared by:
Ainsley Jo Phillips

Russell Rescues Youth

Russell T. Hartsaw has a burning passion for making a difference in the lives of homeless youth, at risk youth and their families. He experienced firsthand what it means to be homeless and abused. He also knows the potential dangers that lie ahead for kids who are homeless and at risk. But what can one person do?

Russell discovered an area in his city where homeless youth hid and supported each other in order to survive. He took food to them that he paid for and received from friends also wanting to help. Eventually, a few of these kids began to trust Russell. They were Gerald and nine of his friends, all between the ages of nine and fifteen years old.

When Russell received money for a gift from a friend, he chose to use it to take these ten kids out to a local restaurant for a meal. It turned out to be a tremendous experience. The manager at the restaurant matched the money so it provided meals for the group and allowed them to take food back to other kids who remained in seclusion.

Providing meals for this group of friends was only the beginning. Due to Russell's enthusiasm and initiative, area churches and members of the community tirelessly knocked on doors until they found homes for all ten kids!

Russell Hartsaw has now founded an organization to provide resources and support for homeless youth, at risk youth, their families and related organizations. The Invisible Youth Network is made up of volunteer members from every continent in the world.

What can one person do? Russell has proved you can change lives!

Roger B. Carr

Roger Carr is the Founder of Everyday Giving.

Become an Invisible Youth Partner

Would you believe that there are very few organiztions that address the issues of our homeless youth despite the media reports that there 1.5 million young people living on the streets everyday. The government shows little concern for a problem that effects mostly non voters who have no commercial value for society. There is no strong lobby group waving the banner to support their cause. Support for the homeless is usually left up to religious organizations who, like the rest of America are migrating to the suburbs where the problem "appears" non-existent. Urban churches spend much of their contributions on maintaining antiquated century-old buildings.

Now, the Invisible Youth Network steps into the picture.

The Invisible Youth Network is committed to recruiting individuals interested in working with homeless youth as youth advocates. Our volunteers continue to come--and remain with us--because of their own commitment to the work we do. The benefits of their involvement and the experience that they gain is invaluable to all concerned.

The Invisible Youth Network is an !00% volunteer organization. We have no overhead for offices, expense accounts or publicity. Every penny goes to outreach for the kids as verified by our publlic records (by appointment only) with all receipts of accrued expenses and income on file. Our organization exists due to the dedication of our volunteers and members who donate their money, time and effort.

Our goal is to continue to motivate people to become engaged in activities that are in the best interests of our homeless youths as well as society at large. Surveys and anecdotal evidence suggest that most of the homeless have the potential to lead productive lives. Many have considerable skills and education but have been derailed in their lives due to a variety of circumstances. The Invisible Youth Network wants to put these young people back on track and to support them in becoming valuable members of society instead of a drain on it.

Your partnership adds your support and prestige to our endeavors on behalf of homeless youth walking the streets of our cities. Please join an increasing number of organizations like San Diego State University who are affiliating themselves with the Invisible Youth Network. Add your voice to our partnership list and make a difference for these kids. Add your voice to our partnership list and make a difference in these kids’ lives.

invisibleyouth@gmail.com

Or use our e-mail portal below.

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