Mission
To facilitate relationships that ensure that youth and families have access to resources in their communities.

Value Statement
We value:

• Providing education and solution-focused interventions
• Offering non-sectarian, non-judgmental support
• Respecting confidentiality
• Collaborating with volunteers
• Responding 24 hours a days

History
The National Runaway Switchboard gives help and hope to youth and their families by providing non-judgmental, confidential crisis intervention and local and national referrals through a 24-hour hotline.

Founded by a group of Chicago agencies, the National Runaway Switchboard was established in 1971 to fill a need for comprehensive crisis intervention for young people in Chicago. It was conceived as a centralized organization with free 24-hour services, expertise in all youth-related issues and as an information clearinghouse of youth services.

In 1974, the National Runaway Switchboard received an eight-month federal demonstration grant to establish a national hotline. During this time, 11,000 calls were received demonstrating the need for this type of service. Since then, our capabilities and services have grown considerably. We now receive more than 100,000 calls each year.

The National Runaway Switchboard is the federally designated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth. We are available 24 hours a day throughout the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.

The National Runaway Switchboard services are provided through funding from and in partnership with the Washington D.C. based Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children, Youth and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services.