Hollywood : Number of Runaways Rises

The number of teen-age runaways served by the Salvation Army in Hollywood has increased by 14% so far this year, a spokeswoman said.

In the month of August, the Salvation Army’s teen drop-in center took in 1,194 transient youths, according to Joan Thirkettle, its director.

For the year, 6,334 teens were registered, of whom 2,384 were female, a 10% increase over the number of girls served during the same period the year before.

“We’ve seen more kids than ever on the streets of Hollywood,” she said. “It’s a combination of what’s going on in the homes, the growing chronic abuse and kids struggling in school. Now that the schools are going to year-round, that frustration is going on nonstop.”

The center, which relies heavily on volunteers, provides food, clothing, counseling and other care.

As the demand for services has increased, the number of volunteers has dropped, from 733 in 1991 to 480 in 1992, she said.