10/25 Color Run/Walk for Homeless Teens

Please help our Homeless and Runaway Youth! Harbor House, a safe haven for youth, is hosting its 6th annual Color 5K Run/Walk at First Energy Park (home of the Lakewood BlueClaws) in Lakewood, New Jersey on Sunday, October 25, 2015.

REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

• An all-white t-shirt
• Goodie Bags
• Post Race Refreshments
• First/Second/Third Place Prizes

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE COLOR RUN?

Participants will wear an all-white t-shirt provided by Harbor House and will finish decked out in a spattering of bright, dazzling color. How it works: at each kilometer of the race, runners are blitzed by volunteers with a new color.

The 5K Run/Walk event will feature community resource and sponsorship tables. We’re expecting over 500 people this year and hope you will join us for this fundraiser to benefit homeless kids.

RACE DAY CHECK-IN:

Check-in begins at 8am. Race starts at 9am. Continuing the trend from last year, we’ll be throwing colors at your while you run/walk in the Color Run for Shelter.

Homeless Teens Are Often Times Right In Plain Sight -- That’s Part Of The Issue:

“Homelessness in these counties differs from New York City,” said Heidi Hartmann, director of youth services at Ocean’s Harbor House, a shelter for local homeless youths.

“Instead of homeless children sleeping in parks or gathering in crowded shelters, as they might in the city, the local youths go from friend’s couch to friend’s couch, or stay in motel rooms,” Hartmann said.

“They’re the kids bagging your groceries … they’re right in plain sight but they’re disguised so well that people often don’t notice them,” she added.

Here are some statistics on homeless youth in New Jersey:

• Of the 1,061 homeless people in Monmouth and Ocean counties, 368 are under the age of 18, according to the latest figures from NJ Counts 2015, based on a census taken in January and February.
• Nearly 1 out of 3 homeless people in Ocean and Monmouth counties is a minor… Ocean County had a 21% increase in homeless youth since last year
• According to NJ Counts, Ocean County is tied with Mercer and Middlesex counties for having the fifth-highest percentage of New Jersey’s total homeless population, at 5.9 percent, with a total of 605 homeless people.
• Monmouth County has 4.5 percent of the state’s homeless population, with 456 homeless people.
• All told, there are 10,211 homeless people in New Jersey.

ABOUT HARBOR HOUSE

Harbor House (formerly known as Ocean’s Harbor House) is dedicated to assisting homeless, runaway, abused, neglected and abandoned youth, ages 10-21. Our mission is to provide a safe haven and caring environment for vulnerable youth to enable them to unlock their potential and learn skills that will empower them to build healthier lives, relationships and futures.

Located along the central Jersey Shore, we work with youth, ages 10-21, primarily from Ocean and Monmouth Counties. A smaller number of youth come from other various parts of the state.

Since 1988, Harbor House has helped tens of thousands of children and their families with temporary and transitional housing, counseling and supportive services. Further, our agency has utilized the skill and dedication of hundreds of staff and devoted community leaders, as well as countless volunteers – all driven to support our mission.

Harbor House is proud to be affiliated with other local, state and regional agencies that help promote and support our efforts. This approach allows the agency to:

• respect its heritage,
• enhance its present operations, and
• ensure its future growth and commitment for all youth in need.