WEST POINT, Miss. (WTVA) -- Growing up and going through adolescence can be challenging, but there is help available thanks to Sally Kate Winters Family Services.
A new exhibit is on display in the historic district of West Point at the corner of Commerce and Broad Streets.
It features 74 kids that have been serviced by Sally Kate Winters Family Services over the last three years.
"They can see the exact number of kids and each individual youth that we've served. [These are all things] that we provide," said Laura Yelverton, program coordinator.
The exhibit is designed to educate people about runaways who become homeless as part of National Safeplace Week.
"A lot of times in the south or in an area where we are, homeless doesn't look like the sterotypical image of homelessness," said Heather Usry, outreach coordinator for Sally Kate Winters Family Services. "They aren't under bridges and in boxes. These kids who are homeless just don't have a place to go at night."
There are over 20 safe places located throughout north Mississippi for youth experiencing a crisis between the ages of 12 and seventeen.
"We can direct them towards avenues where they can access positive role models, positive mentors, and give them opportunities to make positive choices," adds Usry. "[This way] they can kind of get on a better path."
The staff says it's worth every minute of each day helping the young generation turn a negative situation into a positive outlook.
"We often get visits from our past clients and residents which is always great to see when someone is being successful and making those positive choices. [Especially] where we've been able to make an impact," said Yelverton.
Research shows that the number one reason youth seek help from an outreach program is due to family problems.
