Since you’re only 16 you’re going to be ineligible for homeless shelters because those are designed for 18+. I can’t stress this enough, do not go over state lines! You are a minor and while it seems like a great idea this is how many people get hurt/lost/molested or just end up in a worse situation than they started in. I would seriously recommend that you go to the local police station and explain your situation. This will get CPS (child protective services) involved. Legally your parents are required to care for you until your 18th birthday, so what they are doing is punishable by law. What CPS will do is appoint you a caseworker and advocate and try and mediate a resolution between you and your parents that will get you back in the home. If this can’t happen then they will try and place you with another family member. In the event that none can be found your parents can be charged with abandonment and face the possibility of jail time and having their rights over you revoked. At this point unless you can find a friend or family member willing to go to court and get custody of you as a minor CPS will have to take custody of you. If you were to go to the courthouse and start the process of emancipation this would be an alternative that would eventually get you out of CPS. Social workers are there to help you, and as a minor you don’t have much recourse, but what you do have they will be able to point you to. If you don’t want to go that route I’ve found the following that could help:
-This site has an emergency glbt youth housing number in Charlotte and also contact numbers for other agencies that could help:
http://www.timeoutyouth.org/housing.html -Raleigh GLBT center referral or resource help line 919.747.4123 they also have a 24 Hour Youth Crisis Line 919-231-4525
-If you’re in Buncombe County near Asheville there is a program called Helpmate that has housing, court advocacy, and other help. toll free # 828-254-2968 and 24 hour crisis # 828-254-0516
- Jobcorps is a government run program that provides housing and education for youth 16+. I would seriously consider this at some point. I had a friend who is a lesbian and was kicked out as a teenager, went into foster care, and this program gave her a GED and job training and housing and food. :
:http://www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx - Foster Care Helpline - for young people in foster care who have questions about LGBT-related discrimination or abuse, a service of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. The line is staffed (Pacific Standard Time) Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. [9-5:30, Eastern], but callers may leave messages 24-hours … Phone: 866-LGBTeen (542-8336). Also contact person: Stefan Johnson @ phone 213-382-7600.
- North Carolina Lambda Youth Network - Collaborating with a transitional housing agency in Durham to offer a residential program specifically for LGBT youth:
North Carolina Lambda Youth Network
115 Market Street, Suite 203
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-683-3037
Email: execdir@nclyn.org
Website:
http://www.nclyn.org - National organization that offers help and could point you in the right directions number: 1-800-786 –2929 website:
http://www.1800runaway.org/ -If you do end up in CPS care:
http://www.nclrights.org/site/DocServer/LGBTQ_Youth_In_Child_Welfare_System.pdf?docID=1581 and
http://www.nclrights.org/site/DocServer/LegalRights_LGBT_State_Custody.pdf?docID=1741 At this point no matter what happens you need to be your own advocate. That means ask as many questions as you can, get phone numbers/peoples names/email addresses. Keep a folder/notebook with all of the information you collect. Stay in school. Education is going to be the only thing that gets you through life and through transition. If you need help finding any other information or with anything else let me know evannolet@gmail.com