Did I say "little darling"? No I said her mother threw her out. However I have known the young lady since she was five years old and while she can be mouthy she is still a nice girl. And she gets a fresh start because "Ma" has given away almost everything she had including her winter coat and clothes. Things her Dad gave her before he died are gone. Mom is a control freak who thinks rules are for everybody else. Hard to believe but there are some really bad parents out there.

Just an intesting note about the 2 in teh christmas carol asking for money, they were Odd Fellows, if you have read the article about the fireworks you will know who i'm talking about.

casey,

There is always two sides to every story and I bet this little "darling" you speak of is a rotten child was an extreme handful. In some instances, I don't blame parents for kicking out their children.

I dont really know what to say here but I will try.What kind of parent screws up so bad that a child needs to be on the street or in shelters? You have to be REALLY awful,in my mind. Why did you even have kids? Did you want them? Did you think it would fix your relationship?Did you think it would end your bad "habit"? COME ON!!!! This kind of stuff makes me sick in my heart that I cant help everyone that needs help.Worse yet,the so called parents cant fix it either!(or dont care to)

thank you mikki

Exactly right Mikki....Strict rules need to apply..

I can see two sides to the story.
What about the teens that refuse to abide by parents' rules? Who do drugs, sleep around, behave badly, quit school, etc...
I have seen these children come to different agencies, asking for assistance. They are like a lot of teens, they "know everything, and know more than mom and dad".
I think the situations should be evaluated on an individual basis. Otherwise, you may be rewarding poor behavior.

Sandman, that sure leaves us food for thought. It leaves for quite a variety of interpretations, but it does make a person think... that's quite a thing to entrust to some people, but it does make them think!

And what has really changed since these words were written...

"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."
"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
"They are. Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."
"The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge.
"Both very busy, sir."
"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."
"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"
"Nothing!" replied Scrooge.
"You wish to be anonymous?"
"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there."
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. ... It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!"

It's like the chicken and the egg...Which came first..While substance abuse can and in some cases does play a role in these families being in the spots they are in the kids need what they need. The parents as I see it are 90% to blame for these kids being in the situation they are in. I would say 100% but you see the attitude some of these kids have today. These kids need safe, healthy places to live and somebody that cares about them from day to day and take care of their daily needs. They see adults in their lives not being responsible. Yes decent jobs are hard to come by right now and money is tight even for those with jobs. So parents need to look at what the kids need first not what they need themselves. Deadbeat parents are another blog altogether, which is why some of these kids are homeless.

My eyes tear up each time I read any article that parents don't or are unable to care for their children's basic needs.... one of the most important being the need for love!

Dynaflite they aren't criminals, they're children and obviously it isn't a child's fault if their parents can't provide for them. We don't know the circumstances surrounding these children/families..so who are any of us to judge.

More homeless shelters in the county are need along with affordable housing. Most family affordable housing complexes are full and have waiting lists. Section 8 waiting list through the city of Janesville is at least 2 years long.

Another thing is these homeless kids become homeless adults and then it is tougher as the way the JOB situation is, what hope do they have without a stable background to show or a real address to give. reality is with this door opening up it could make a difference in their life and show them people do care. Also give them a brighter outlook for the future. I can understand ignorance in some people what I can't understand is cold hearted people who have never put on the shoes of a person they seem to think is less them them!!!! There is noone in my world that is any better then the next as this could be your child or family member. IMO some of the "Holier then thou" need to experience the pain and embarrassment that these young people feel also to live homeless without a clue as to where your next meal will come from or if you will find a warm place. This isn't the movies where the happy ending will prevail This is reality in our backyard!!!!!!!!!! NO wait IN OUR FRONT YARD!!!!!

dynaflite:It is not just runaways it is kids that have no place to call home!!! Some kids dont have to take abuse or look at wasted parents or live with boyfriends/girlfriends of parents that dont want them there.Another thing is no child support coming into homes with kids and that needs to be addressed even tougher then it is,Some parents throw their kid out when the support isnt there or ends. I know many young kids that bounce from friend to friend and it is sad I hope they utilize the Hugunin house. It has been going on and what puzzles me is after GM goes down then the truth comes out and that is not right as many have been homeless before they went down. And it isnt the GM workers it is the other people that the community denied existed IMO UNTIL now (as the article states that after Gm closing).What is sad it is when the closing of a big company brings forth the truth that has been here for years, I raised 2 of my sisters kids and the dead beat father has never paid a dime in support (he has 11+ kids with different woman and dont support any of them) If their mom missed a payment she was locked up! Good luck with Hugunin House and help these kids. It is a great location. And the Hugunins would love that it was put to good use.

In Parkview School District We have collected things such as clothing , food and a place to live for any student that is in need that we know about . I personally took in a student that needed a home in his Senior year . He was very intelligent and finished school , got married and has a new bayb boy . He stops in at my house often to this day . I refer to him as "My Adopted Son " and treat him like I treat My own Children . Us from small towns don't want to see Children without a Warm place to stay . Our Students do donation drives and visit people in Need no matter what the circumstances and give what is needed . Our students at Parkview are the most caring and make sure their fellow students get what is needed even if it is a Home , Food , Clothing or other needs . When You are shopping and see something on sale for hardly nothing , Pick it up and turn it in to the School District in Your Area . Even though You have no need for it , There may be someone in you area who does . Right now , Winter clothing is on sale very cheap such as Pajamas for $ 5.00 a pair .These items went right out to the children in need to stay warm for the Winter . If You give a little , You may be surprised on what You will get in return . I have gotten Hugs , Thank You Cards and many more thoughtful things including Help around My house when needed. The way I see it is if I am ever in need , I know I will get the help I need .Help these Children in Need!

I know a 17 year old living with a family because her Mom who is a Beloit cop kicked her out. Her Father is dead so she at the mercy of her friends. Her Mom should be at Rock County jail.

it's okay if they leave an unstable environment when they know it's wrong. If you don't want them on the streets, Dynaflite, open your own home to learn WHY they are homeless or a runaway. Quit being so ignorant!

I'm very pleased that the Hugunin House could be retained in this way. It's an architecturally significant building that is in an awkward place. The city has been trying to find a buyer for a while now.

any homeless or runaway teen under 18 should go right to the rock co jail just like it has always been! why make a house for them saying it's ok........................