Morris County Gets Street Smart: Somerset Home Expands Services for Homeless Youth Into Morris County to Combat Human Trafficking and Protect Vulnerable Youth

Somerset Home (somersethome.org), a nonprofit agency providing housing and support services to abused, neglected and homeless teenagers and young adults has opened an office in Morristown. Located at 175 Washington Street, the office is part of the second stage in the growth of the agency’s street outreach program named “Street Smart.”  A Street Smart office opened in Essex County in November 2013. By the conclusion of 2014, Street Smart will help seven counties throughout New Jersey prevent exploitation of high-risk youth and combat human trafficking.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in 2012 one in eight runaways were in danger of becoming sex-trafficking victims, sold into sex slavery by pimps, organized crime members, or their parents. The average age of a girl entering sex trafficking is 12 to 14. Research shows a runaway will be approached by someone in the trafficking industry within 48 hours of hitting the street.

Spearheading the initiative are two individuals with a long history in Morris County, David Walker, executive director, and Jennifer Amaya, program coordinator. Mr. Walker was executive director at Morristown Neighborhood House for more than a decade before joining Somerset Home. Ms. Amaya grew up and attended school in Morris County. After returning from college, she took up an eight-year residency in Morristown where she began her work in the non-profit field.

Many runaway and homeless youth trade sex for money, food, or shelter in order to survive. These victims are ‘sold’ at truck stops, casinos, on internet sites and street corners. “We talk with them, offer blankets and toiletries, and over time build their trust and help get them to safety,” said Amaya.                                         

Street Smart outreach workers have helped Somerset County youth since 1998. Because of the program’s successful track record, it has been awarded federal and state grants totaling more than $900,000 to work with homeless youth in Morris, Essex, Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union counties.

Street Smart workers partner with other community organizations to build trust among runaway and homeless youth or youth who are at-risk of running away from home or becoming homeless. They help youth find safe housing and direct them to services for health care, counseling, education and jobs. Outreach workers also meet with school guidance counselors, police officers and other social service agencies to explain the services and ensure those who come in contact with teens living on the street or in other unsafe situations know outreach services are available.

“Not everyone is ready to accept our services. But for those who are, the result can be life-changing,” said Tayeesha Ruff, Street Smart’s senior supervisor who has been with the agency for more than five years. She remembers one client who explained, “I had nowhere to go and no one to call. The worker helped me when I needed it most and I will never forget them for what they did.”

“The teens who we help come from every socio-economic background and many diverse cultures,” said Walker. “No community or family is immune from the pressures that cause a child to run away from home and be lured into human trafficking. We are excited at the opportunity to help Morris County protect youth who are at a very vulnerable stage in their lives.”

Street Smart street outreach teams are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Somerset Home, incorporated in 1970, is dedicated to meeting the needs of abused and neglected youth. The agency provides seven programs for adolescents and their families: Brahma House crisis intervention center; Passages; My Place and Whitney House transitional-living programs; Pathways independent-living skills program; Street Smart street outreach; and Bridge House supportive-housing for homeless young adults. For more information, visit somersethome.org. or contact David Walker, executive director, dwalker@somersethome.org, (908) 526-6605 Ext. 304.