During the City Council meeting on November 1st, Mayor Paul Callaghan read a proclamation declaring the month of November to be National Runaway Prevention Month.

WHEREAS, November is National Runaway Prevention Month; and

WHEREAS, National Runaway Prevention Month began in 2002 and is presented each year by the National Runaway Safeline, the federally designated national crisis and communication system for youth ages 12 to 21 who have run away, are considering leaving home, or are experiencing homelessness; and 

WHEREAS, runaway youth are often expelled from their home, have experienced trauma, struggle to meet basic needs, and are in increased danger of falling into high-risk situations, including human trafficking; and

WHEREAS, the City of Rochester is working to raise awareness, provide support, and offer resources for vulnerable young people in the community.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor Paul Callaghan do hereby proclaim November as National Runaway Prevention Month in Rochester, New Hampshire, and encourage all citizens to appreciate the role that we can all play in advocating for and providing safe alternatives to this vulnerable population of young people.