1105 W Front St | Bloomington, IL 309.827.0377
Original Design by: Becky Goodman | Re-Design & Site Maintenance by: Studio902 Web Solutions | © Project Oz 2011 All rights reserved www.projectoz.org
Factoids
- In 2008, there were only 156 shelter beds in McLean County and nearly 700 documented homeless persons. The Project Oz Transitional Living Program helped subsidize about 20 apartments for homeless youth each year. For every youth who enters an apartment, 11 don’t get housing. The need far outweighs our resources. Can you help?
- Over 50% of youth in shelters and on the streets reported that their parents either told them to leave or knew they were leaving but did not care.
- 32% of runaway and homeless youth have attempted suicide at some point in their lives.
- 12% of runaway and homeless youth spent at least one night outside, in a part, on the street, under a bridge or overhang, or on a rooftop
- Nationally, 1 in 4 youth in runaway and homeless youth programs had traded sex for money, food, shelter, or drugs in the last 12 months.
- In 2010, Project Oz received almost 200 applications for housing assistance, but had funding for only 18 subsidized apartments.
- For every $1 spent in prevention activities, anywhere from $2-20 can be saved in the long run.
- True or False: Binge drinking (5 or more drinks at one sitting) is a weekly problem among McLean County teens. FALSE. 74% of McLean County teens surveyed have done NO binge drinking in the past month.
- The Verizon Foundation helped us create an Internet Safety Mobile Lab. Tech-savvy volunteers help keep the laptops ready for use in workshops that teach hands-on lessons for avoiding scams and other communication pitfalls that leave your personal information vulnerable. Call to find out more about it.
- A 2009 survey reported that 9.8% of high school students nationwide had been hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend. This is unacceptable. If you’ve been hit or hurt, call a trusted adult. No one has the right to hurt you.
- Average cost of a community-based youth intervention program? $2.28
Average cost of a day in a youth group home? $245 Using prevention to help solve our tough problems? Priceless.
- Nationally, child protective services agencies report that 772,000 children were victims of maltreatment; 71% victims of child neglect, 16% physical abuse, 9% sexual assault, and 7% emotional abuse.
- Each year, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner related physical assaults and rapes, and men are the victims of about 2.9 million assaults.
- “Parents Forever” is a 4-hour course for separating or divorcing parents that teaches ways to help you remain a good parent to your children, even when you’re overwhelmed by the stresses of separation. Want to know more? Check out our website for class dates and more info.
1. You will not feel this way forever.
2. Single parents can raise great children
3. Ask for help.
4. Take good care of yourself.
5. There are no perfect parents.
6. Build a support network.
7. Your child loves you!
From “Parents Forever”
- Did you know 2.1 million teens abuse prescription drugs each year?
- The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that 1 in 7 teens will run away from home.
- Every $1 invested in research-based prevention programs can save up to $10 in treatment costs.