An initiative in Saskatoon is using secondhand cellphones to keep in contact with youth who frequently run away from home.
Operation Runaway was created earlier this year by members of the Saskatoon Police Service, social services, elders and Egadz to provide help and support to young people who repeatedly run away.
As part of the program, Egadz is giving donated cellphones to youth who have been declared missing on more than one occasion.
Don Meikle, executive director of Egadz, said the cellphones help keep the youth connected to organizations and people who can help them.
"It's been actually pretty amazing," said Meikle.
"We have a lot of the kids who are habitual runaways contacting us, phoning us, to say, ‘I'm okay.’ They phone their workers. They phone police.... It's actually expanded our contact with these kids amazingly.”
Meikle said it helps them get in touch with young people before they're classified as missing, which can cut down on the use of police resources.
"If we can contact them instead of them being reported missing, we can find out where they are," said Meikle.
"If they're in trouble they can call. We have an outreach program open until 1 a.m. so if they're in trouble they can call."
The phones are equipped with $40 calling cards supplied by Egadz.
Meikle said the program runs until October and he isn't sure what will happen after that.
Used cellphones can be donated at Cellular YXE.
