FARMINGTON – There are 40 known cases of Franklin County teenagers who have unstable living conditions or worse, no homes, according to information shared at a forum here recently.

The Institute on Rural Poverty at the University of Maine at Farmington last week held the second of five forums on dealing with poverty in Maine. The presentation was titled Teen Homelessness and Hanging Out: Not a Complete Unknown, Still a Rolling Stone.

Ernest Gurney, a rural outreach worker with New Beginnings Youth Outreach, and Judith Rawlings, executive director of Positive Turning Points for Youth, led the hour-long discussion.

Gurney gave startling figures about the growing occurrence of homelessness among teenagers in Franklin County.

“We need some innovative ideas on how to help the homeless youth in our community,” he said.

Of the 40 known cases of teens with unstable living conditions or homelessness, 26 are females and 14 are males. All are under the age of 21.

Rawlings said from her discussions with area high school students, abusive behavior, substance abuse and bad parenting are reasons cited for homelessness. Students suggested more involvement within the schools for those who have no place else to go and agreed the community should play a vital role.

The students in the discussion were from Jay, Livermore Falls, Mount Blue and Mount Abram high schools.

Gurney and Rawlings stressed the harsh reality that some teens live day to day.

“Some need jobs, transportation and most importantly a place to stay,” Gurney said. Both agreed that community involvement is imperative for fighting teen homelessness.

Some suggestions from the audience included a shelter, or special programs organized through the university and the community.

Lewiston is the closest shelter for Franklin County.

“We want to try and meet the rural problem before it reaches the cities,” Gurney said.

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