Bruce and Marla Vlieger live in urban Denver and are comitted to helping the segment of society that is often ignored, neglected and dismissed as worthless and hopeless. Whether it's the "streetkids" in downtown (which are rarely actually kids) or the poor on East Colfax, Bruce and Marla spend their lives trying to model Christ's love to these incredible people who have unbelievable perserverance and stamina in dealing with their daily struggles, sometimes just to survive.

Bruce is the Co-Director of Ezra (part of Open Door Ministries), an art & design studio for streetkids in downtown Denver, while Marla is the Director of Education for Restoration Outreach Programs, focusing primarily on providing GED tutoring for the poor along the East Colfax community. In addition, Marla and Bruce do foster care for infants.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)



Statistics on Runaways (from National Runaway Switchboard)

Prevalence of runaways
Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away in a year.

Motivations for running away
Over 50% of youth in shelters and on the streets reported that their parents either told them to leave or knew they were leaving but did not care.

Eighty percent of runaway and homeless girls reported having been sexually or physically abused. Thirty four percent of runaway youth (girls and boys) reported sexual abuse before leaving home and forty-three percent of runaway youth (girls and boys) reported physical abuse before leaving home.

Childhood abuse increases youths' risk for later victimization on the street. Physical abuse is associated with elevated risk of assaults for runaway and homeless youth, while sexual abuse is associated with higher risk of rape for runaway and homeless youth.

Risk factors associated with running away
Over 70% of runaway and throwaway youth in 2002 were estimated to be endangered, based on 17 indicators of harm or potential risk. The most common endangerment component was physical or sexual abuse at home or fear of abuse upon return. The second most common endangerment component was the youth’s substance dependency.

Seven percent of youth in runaway and homeless youth shelters and 14% of youth on the street had traded sex for money, food, shelter, or drugs in the last twelve months when surveyed in 1995.

Thirty two percent of runaway and homeless youth have attempted suicide at some point in their lives.

Approximately 48.2% of youth living on the street and 33.2% of youth living in a shelter reported having ever been pregnant.

Demographics of runaways
Runaway youth are 50% male and 50% female, although females are more likely to seek help through shelters and hotlines.

Forty percent of youth in shelters and on the street have come from families that received public assistance or lived in publicly assisted housing.