According to the National Runaway Switchboard, more than 1.5 million teenagers run away from home each year. Eighty-six percent of runaways are between the ages of 14 to 17 and 74% are female. One out of every seven children will run away before they turn 18 years old. Seventy-five percent of runaways who remain at large for two or more
Read moreAccording to Shoplifters Alternative, a national nonprofit research and rehabilitation program, there are about 23 million shoplifters in our nation today – about one in 11 people. Although only one-quarter of shoplifters are teenagers, 55% of adult shoplifters say that they began to steal when they were younger. Despite any justification someone might use, shoplifting is stealing and there are
Read moreGangs are a scary phenomenon in our nation. They are becoming more prevalent, increasingly violent, and more sophisticated in their crime. The FBI reports, “About 20,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs with approximately 1 million members are criminally active in the U.S. today. Many are sophisticated and well organized; all use violence to control neighborhoods and boost
Read moreOccasionally we see chilling reminders of teenage violence. We might watch the news about a school shooting or see evidence of gangs or hear about a bullying incident. Parents and teachers cringe at these sad stories, but many of us feel powerless to help or feel that this problem is uncommon or won’t happen in our area. Middle Earth wants
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