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Help for Youth and Young Adults in South Carolina: Safe Places, Support and Training

Help for teens and young adults without a safe home in South Carolina: 1 800 RUNAWAY, young adult services at Transitions, Job Corps, 988 and the DSS abuse hotline.

Need help tonight?

911Danger or emergency right now 988Call or text. Crisis or thinking about suicide. 24 hours 211Shelter, food, bills, anything else 1 800 799 7233Someone hurting you at home. Text START to 88788

Start here

Hi friend. If you are young and you do not have a safe place to be, you are not in trouble for asking for help. Talk to someone who can listen and help you think through your choices.

1 800 RUNAWAY Call or text 988 Dial 211

Quick answers

Who can I talk to any time?

1 800 RUNAWAY is a free, confidential line for youth, open 24 hours a day. Call or text 800 786 2929, or use chat on 1800runaway.org. A crisis support specialist can listen and help you look at options and stay safe.

Official page: 1800runaway.org

Can someone help me get home safely?

The Home Free program helps young people ages 12 to 21 return safely to a known adult or another safe place, at no cost to the young person. Call 1 800 RUNAWAY to get started.

Official page: 1800runaway.org

I'm 18 to 24. Where can I go?

Transitions Homeless Center in Columbia is open to adults 18 and older and lists youth services for ages 18 to 24. The Day Center at 2025 Main Street is open every day, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Call 803 708 4861.

Official page: transitionssc.org/get-help

What if I'm being hurt at home?

Call the South Carolina DSS 24 hour Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 888 227 3487. You can also talk with the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 866 331 9474 if the harm is from a partner. If you are in danger now, call 911.

Official page: dss.sc.gov/contact-dss

Is there free training for young people?

Job Corps is free for people about 16 to 24 who are low income and meet other rules. It offers career training, help finishing high school, and housing, meals and basic medical care. Call 800 733 5627 or apply online.

Official page: jobcorps.gov

Your next steps

Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this phone only.

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Call or text 800 786 2929 and tell them what is going on.
If you are 18 or older, ask Transitions about youth services.
Ask Job Corps if training fits you.
If you are unsafe at home, call the DSS hotline at 888 227 3487.
Keep a charged phone and a list of numbers you trust.

All done. You are ready, friend.

Bunkly tip: 1 800 RUNAWAY can also help connect you with resources to get papers like an ID or birth certificate. You can ask about that on the same call.