Most people can't imagine what it would be like to lose a home, much less imagine what it would be like to be a 16-year-old out in the world alone. How would you keep up with school? Who would provide for your healthcare and food? How would you know where to seek help and who would be safe to turn to?

Lorenzo Rowell is one of many thousands of youths across Illinois who doesn’t have to imagine what homelessness is like -- he's lived it. Having lacked stable housing for most of his life, Lorenzo became homeless when his uncle died and his grandmother was placed in a nursing home.

With little education and no place to call home, Lorenzo tried to find work. However, without significant work experience or a permanent address, few employers were willing to hire him.

Then, in 2006, Lorenzo started volunteering with Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and became a member of CCH’s Speakers Bureau and a leader in Youth Futures. He also participated in CCH’s Coffee Project.

Today, Lorenzo continues to flourish. Having never spent a day in high school, he obtained his GED, and in Fall 2007, he began his freshman year at Chicago State University.

In Illinois, thousands of youths share Lorenzo's struggles. As Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (PDF), a recent study conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago, has found, few are provided the opportunity to overcome such powerful obstacles.

In 2005, there were roughly 25,000 youth who experienced homelessness. Many youths turn to the streets to escape violence at home. Approximately one-third said that family conflict was the reason they became homeless. Other common reasons included physical or sexual abuse by a parent or family member.

The streets can be just as and even more dangerous than an abusive home. In the 2005 study, three in five youths said they had been the victim of violence during the past 12 months.

To address the needs of youths experiencing homelessness, CCH founded the Youth Committee. Consisting of members from dozens of organizations, the Youth Committee meets monthly to coordinate CCH’s public policy work on homeless youth issues.