Homeless Youth Among Us

 

In 2007 the first ever National Homeless Youth Awareness Month was established by Congress. RE*Generation worked to raise awareness around youth homelessness and get at least 1 million people to take action in some way. The Homeless Youth Among Us Website was operated by Virgin Mobile USA, LLC. to educate and demonstrate how folks could help.
The content below is from the site's 2007 archived pages and other outside sources.

 

How Many Homeless Youth Are there in America?


The quick answer is probably over a million homeless youth require services each year in the United States. Most agree that the population is “substantial and widespread” in every state and across demographic characteristics, but we do not have accurate figures. The state figures noted above do not accurately quantify the number of homeless youth in the state because homeless youth are often a ‘hidden’ population and only a fraction receive shelter or housing support. 

NB: If you live in an urban area you have seen homeless youths. In the summer there seems to be more than ever. Walking down major avenues in New York City in the evenings I have seen homeless youths congregating on the steps of churches, setting up their space for the night. One heart wrenching scene was a couple with two young children. Somewhere they had managed to find what appeared to be a couple of designer round dog beds they were using for their childrens' beds. I happened to recognize the dirty dog beds since I had two similar ones in my Fifth Ave coop for my two golden doodles. I had bought mine at an online store with the clever name GoodNightDog who sold premium dog bed for pet lovers. I'm sure they never would have imagined where two of their beds would end up. On one hand I was glad the kids had something to sleep on, but just the fact they were out there on the steps of a Park Ave church ready to go to sleep for the night was utterly depressing. I gave their mother a twenty and continued on my walk.

There are only a few research studies that quantify the number of homeless youth in America. National studies vary from 575,000 to 1.6 million to 2.8 million. 


National Homeless Youth Awareness Month begins November 2007.
In April 2007, The RE*Generation Task Force hit Capitol Hill to convince Congress to establish a National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in November.
Thanks to the compelling testimony of Jewel and her fellow Task Force members, the resolution was introduced in Congress and passed into law!
In honor of the first ever National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, The RE*Generation is working to raise awareness around youth homelessness and get at least 1 million people to take action in some way.

 


—A generation helping its own

Right now, there are over one million young people living on the streets of the US. Many have been abused or neglected and left with no choice but to beg, steal, or sell their bodies to survive.

Virgin Mobile, with the help of Virgin Unite, wants to change that. The RE*Generation is our effort to empower a generation to help its own. We're bringing together organizations that care about homeless youth and connecting them with young people who want to help.

And we're making it easy for our customers to take an active role and get involved — through donating, volunteering, and even text messaging and downloading.

 

Accomplishments

Here’s just some of what we've accomplished since June 2006, when The RE*Generation began:

  • For every ticket sold to the 2007 Virgin Festival by Virgin Mobile, one dollar was donated to The RE*Generation.GreenDimes (a company working hard to stop household junk mail) then matched that amount, for a total of over $110,880 going to The RE*Generation’s charitable partners.
  • Over $26,000 has been raised for The RE*Generation’s charitable partners through the Txt2Donate program.
  • November 2007 has officially been designated the first ever "National Homeless Youth Awareness Month" here in the U.S. thanks to The RE*Generation Task Force's lobbying efforts.
  • Over 86,000 items of clothing have been donated through the Txt2Clothe program.
  • Over 4,200 downloads of The RE*Generation graphics and ringtones.
  • Charitable partner, StandUp For Kids has been able to add 5 new chapters thanks to increased funding and awareness.
  • Through your donations and help from our partners, over $3 million has been invested in building The RE*Generation so far.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed. Please keep those donations coming!

In April 2007, The RE*Generation Task Force hit Capitol Hill to convince Congress to establish a National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in November.

Thanks to the compelling testimony of Jewel and her fellow Task Force members, the resolution was introduced in Congress and passed into law!

 

2007 November Activities

The RE*Generation Gallery 2007 Auction And Benefit
To kickoff National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Virgin Mobile is hosting a five-star benefit gala in NYC. We'll be auctioning off works from 21 of today's hottest up-and-coming artists to benefit The RE*Generation's charitable partners and raise awareness around youth homelessness. You can check out the artwork and bid online.

Nationwide Help The Homeless Events
Fannie Mae Foundation's annual Help the Homeless events are happening in eight cities across the country on November 17th. The RE*Generation will take part in the events in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Seattle. Find an event near you and lend your support! 

GOOD Magazine Contributes To The RE*Generation
In honor of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, GOOD Magazine will contribute 100% of its subscription fees to The RE*Generation's charitable partners during the month of November when subscribers sign up here. GOOD Magazine is one of The RE*Generation's corporate supporters. 

Send A Letter To Congress
Congress has designated November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, but there's still a lot more work to be done. Send a letter to your local member of Congress to ask for their continued support in the fight against youth homelessness. Or, click on one of the links below to learn more about pending legislation affecting homeless youth.


 

110TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION

S. RES. 226

Recognizing the month of November 2007 as ‘‘National Homeless Youth Awareness Month’’

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

JUNE 7, 2007

Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. BROWN, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. SALAZAR, Mr. BAYH, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mr. CASEY, Mr. NELSON of Florida, and Mr. KENNEDY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions JULY 11, 2007 Committee discharged; considered, amended and agreed to and with an amendment to the title:

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the month of November 2007 as ‘‘National Homeless Youth Awareness Month’’.

Whereas between 1,300,000 and 2,800,000 children and teens are homeless in the United States each year, with many staying on the streets or in emergency shelters;

Whereas families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and now make up approximately 1⁄3 of that population; VerDate Aug 31 2005 20:56 Jul 18, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR226.ATS SR

 

Whereas homeless youth are typically too poor to secure basicneeds and are unable to access adequate medical or mental health care;
Whereas each day 13 homeless youth die due to physical assault, illness, or suicide;
Whereas many youth become homeless due to a lack of financial and housing resources as they exit juvenile corrections and foster care;
Whereas 25 percent of foster youth experienced homelessness within 2 to 4 years after exiting foster care;
Whereas homeless youth are most often expelled from their homes by their guardians after physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or separated from their parents through death or divorce without adequate resources; and
Whereas awareness of the tragedy of youth homelessness and its causes must be heightened so that greater support for effective programs involving businesses, families, law enforcement agencies, schools, and community and faithbased organizations, aimed at helping youth remain off the streets becomes a national priority: Now, therefore, be it.

Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) supports the values and efforts of businesses, organizations, and volunteers dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless children and teens;
(2) applauds the initiatives of businesses, organizations, and volunteers that employ time and resources to build awareness of the homeless youthproblem, its causes, and potential solutions, and VerDate Aug 31 2005 20:56 Jul 18, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR226.ATS SR226 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS 3 SRES 226 ATS1S work to prevent homelessness among children and teens; and
(3) should recognize the month of November as"National Homeless Youth Awareness Month" and encourages these businesses, organizations, and volunteers to continue to intensify their efforts during the month of November 2007.

 

 

More Background On HomelessYouthAmongUs.org

 

When HomelessYouthAmongUs.org launched in 2007, it wasn’t just another nonprofit website. Operated by Virgin Mobile USA, LLC, the site served as a rallying point for a nationwide movement aimed at tackling one of America’s most painful and persistent social crises — youth homelessness. It emerged at a moment when advocacy, celebrity influence, and digital participation converged to create real-world impact. Its mission was clear: raise awareness, mobilize young people to take action, and change public perception about the “invisible” population of unhoused youth.

Today, although the original site is no longer active, its influence continues through its historical connection to the RE*Generation campaign, the National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, and the organizations that carried its torch forward. This article explores the website’s origins, content, purpose, partnerships, and cultural resonance — situating it within the broader national fight against youth homelessness.

Origins: A Corporate Platform with a Social Mission

The Homeless Youth Among Us website was conceived as part of Virgin Mobile’s RE*Generation initiative, a corporate social responsibility project launched by Virgin Mobile USA in 2006. The campaign aimed to engage the brand’s youthful customer base in supporting social causes, particularly homelessness among youth — an issue often overlooked in mainstream discourse.

Virgin Mobile founder Sir Richard Branson had long believed in using brand influence for social good. RE*Generation embodied that philosophy, seeking to empower young people to help peers in crisis. The initiative partnered with Virgin Unite (the Virgin Group’s nonprofit foundation), mobilizing resources, artists, and audiences around awareness and fundraising.

In April 2007, the RE*Generation Task Force — featuring the singer-songwriter Jewel and several youth advocates — traveled to Capitol Hill to lobby for official recognition of the crisis. Their efforts led to Congress passing a resolution declaring November 2007 as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, cementing a landmark achievement in U.S. social policy and advocacy history.

Mission and Goals

HomelessYouthAmongUs.org’s core goal was to educate the public and inspire direct participation. It functioned as both an educational hub and an action platform, outlining the scale of the problem while offering practical ways for individuals to get involved. Through the site, visitors could:

  • Learn about the causes and realities of youth homelessness.

  • Connect with local organizations working in prevention and outreach.

  • Donate money, clothing, or mobile downloads that supported charitable partners.

  • Send letters to members of Congress advocating for continued legislative support.

  • Participate in events such as “Help the Homeless” walks and auctions.

Its slogan — “A generation helping its own” — perfectly encapsulated the idea that young people, often stereotyped as apathetic, could instead lead a compassionate grassroots movement.

The Scale of the Problem: Context and Data

The website’s educational content emphasized the hidden epidemic of youth homelessness in America. Citing national studies, it noted that estimates of homeless youth ranged from 575,000 to 2.8 million annually, reflecting both underreporting and the transient nature of the population.

A crucial insight was that many homeless youths do not access shelters or official services, making them statistically invisible. The site featured data and testimonials illustrating the systemic issues behind homelessness — from family abuse and neglect to aging out of foster care without support.

The U.S. Senate Resolution 226 of 2007, which HomelessYouthAmongUs.org prominently featured, underscored alarming facts:

  • Between 1.3 and 2.8 million children and teens experience homelessness each year.

  • Families with children represent nearly one-third of the homeless population.

  • Each day, 13 homeless youth die from assault, illness, or suicide.

  • A quarter of youth leaving foster care become homeless within two to four years.

These statistics were not just numbers — they were a call to action.

Partnerships and Charitable Impact

The RE*Generation campaign — and by extension, the HomelessYouthAmongUs.org website — was built on collaborative partnerships with nonprofits, artists, and socially conscious businesses. Some of the key partners and accomplishments included:

  • StandUp For Kids: Expanded by five new chapters thanks to increased awareness and funding.

  • GreenDimes: Matched every dollar donated through Virgin Festival ticket sales, doubling the contributions to over $110,880.

  • GOOD Magazine: Pledged 100% of its November 2007 subscription fees to RE*Generation’s charitable partners.

  • Txt2Donate & Txt2Clothe: Virgin Mobile leveraged mobile technology for micro-philanthropy. Users could text donations or send clothing items, raising over $26,000 and collecting 86,000 pieces of clothing.

  • Covenant House, National Runaway Safeline, and similar organizations were promoted on the site as key partners for those seeking immediate assistance or long-term recovery support.

By 2007, the initiative had already invested over $3 million into building RE*Generation’s network of programs — a notable achievement for a youth-oriented brand campaign.

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month: Legislative Success

Perhaps the site’s greatest milestone was its role in promoting National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. The campaign’s success was codified in Senate Resolution 226, introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and co-sponsored by bipartisan leaders including Senators Martinez, Murray, Brown, Inouye, Obama, Lieberman, Salazar, Feingold, and Kennedy.

This resolution formally recognized November 2007 as a month dedicated to raising awareness of youth homelessness and applauding the efforts of businesses, organizations, and volunteers striving to address it. It represented one of the few moments in U.S. congressional history when corporate activism, celebrity advocacy, and grassroots mobilization intersected effectively.

HomelessYouthAmongUs.org became the public-facing documentation of that victory — providing downloadable materials, updates from Capitol Hill, and guidance for citizen involvement.

Events and Activities: Awareness Through Action

In addition to legislative advocacy, the site promoted a series of nationwide events and cultural initiatives to sustain public attention:

  1. The RE*Generation Gallery Benefit Auction (New York City, 2007)

    • A five-star gala and art auction featuring 21 contemporary artists.

    • Proceeds went directly to youth homelessness organizations.

    • It combined art, philanthropy, and celebrity participation, drawing media coverage for its innovative fusion of culture and activism.

  2. Fannie Mae Foundation’s “Help the Homeless” Events (November 17, 2007)

    • Organized across eight U.S. cities, with RE*Generation’s participation in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Seattle.

    • Encouraged local community engagement through walking fundraisers and volunteer drives.

  3. Media Collaborations

    • Publications like GOOD Magazine, and artists associated with Virgin’s creative network, used their platforms to amplify the message.

    • Jewel’s involvement added emotional depth — she often spoke publicly about her own experiences with homelessness and the importance of compassion-driven reform.

Public Reception and Media Coverage

The campaign’s innovative blend of corporate and social advocacy drew considerable media attention. Outlets such as Billboard, Adweek, and The Huffington Post praised Virgin Mobile’s strategy of aligning youth branding with genuine social change. Jewel’s personal authenticity and visibility amplified the campaign’s emotional appeal.

Moreover, the initiative’s mobile-first model — allowing users to donate or engage via text — was considered groundbreaking at the time. It foreshadowed today’s era of mobile fundraising and digital activism. In many ways, HomelessYouthAmongUs.org was a prototype of social impact marketing, showing that large corporations could create platforms for both profit and purpose.

Cultural and Social Significance

HomelessYouthAmongUs.org symbolized a cultural pivot in how Americans perceived youth homelessness. It helped transform an often-ignored issue into a shared generational responsibility. By using a youthful tone and digital-first design, it appealed directly to the demographic most capable of change — the socially conscious millennial generation.

Its emphasis on storytelling, participation, and empowerment encouraged empathy rather than pity. Instead of portraying homeless youth as helpless victims, the site framed them as resilient individuals deserving opportunity and understanding. This reframing influenced later initiatives by groups like Covenant House, StandUp For Kids, and Point Source Youth, which adopted similar engagement strategies.

Legacy and Continuing Relevance

Although the original HomelessYouthAmongUs.org website has since gone offline, its archived pages preserve a record of early digital activism. The RE*Generation program evolved into new Virgin Unite projects, continuing to support youth and community development causes worldwide.

Today, the annual observance of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month each November remains a direct descendant of the campaign’s advocacy. It continues to mobilize nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments to spotlight the crisis and push for systemic reform.

Modern data underscores the ongoing need. As of 2020, the National Alliance to End Homelessness reported that approximately 34,000 unaccompanied youth were homeless on a single night in the U.S. — a figure that has remained relatively consistent in the years since. Many of the same root causes — family conflict, foster care transitions, poverty, and discrimination — persist.

In that context, the spirit of HomelessYouthAmongUs.org still resonates. It serves as a reminder that progress requires not only empathy but also sustained, collective effort.

Reflections from the Public: A Lasting Impression

One of the most poignant aspects of the campaign was its impact on ordinary people who encountered homelessness firsthand. On the archived site, an observer shared a deeply personal vignette: walking down Park Avenue and seeing a homeless family bedding their children on round designer dog beds — the same kind sold by an upscale online boutique. The story illustrated both the tragedy and irony of homelessness in a wealthy city, emphasizing that homelessness isn’t just a statistic — it’s a human condition visible in plain sight.

Such stories bridged emotional distance and compelled individuals to act, even in small ways. They transformed HomelessYouthAmongUs.org from a corporate project into a moral movement.

Why It Mattered

HomelessYouthAmongUs.org represented the intersection of technology, youth culture, and humanitarian action. It demonstrated that a well-designed digital platform, backed by a committed organization and amplified by cultural influencers, could spark real political and social change.

It wasn’t a charity asking for sympathy — it was a campaign demanding solidarity.

By combining statistics, activism, and accessible action steps, the site played a pioneering role in shaping online social responsibility in the mid-2000s. Long before “cause marketing” became a buzzword, Virgin Mobile proved that companies could engage meaningfully with complex issues while empowering their customers to do the same.

Conclusion

Though it existed briefly, HomelessYouthAmongUs.org remains a milestone in digital advocacy and youth engagement. Created under the umbrella of Virgin Mobile’s RE*Generation campaign, it brought together corporate resources, celebrity voices like Jewel’s, and a generation’s will to create lasting awareness around youth homelessness. Its efforts led directly to the official establishment of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, marking one of the first instances where an online campaign influenced U.S. federal recognition of a social issue.

Its message still rings true: homelessness among youth is not inevitable — it’s preventable, if compassion and policy align. The Homeless Youth Among Us project showed that change begins with awareness, and awareness begins with connection.

~~~

 

HomelessYouthAmongUs.org