Our mission is to address the immediate needs of runaway, homeless and at-risk youth and their families. Tumbleweed provides counseling services, temporary shelter, mediation, advocacy, independent living, street outreach, and referral to community resources.

Description:
Tumbleweed provides services to youth and families in our community twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We have a satellite office at the Youth Assessment Center, Senior High School, West High School and Skyview High School. Our services are provided at no cost to the youth and families we serve.
Tumbleweed was awarded additional funding under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and has expanded its services to include Street Outreach, Transitional/Independent Living and Montana Foster Care for youth ages 16 through 21.
The Street Outreach Program was founded in 2000. This program has become the outstretched arm of Tumbleweed for youth on the streets of the greater Billings area. It is the only program of it's kind in Montana. The Transitional Living Grant was awarded in 2004. First Step House provides transitional living services for up to five youth who would otherwise be homeless. Upon successful completion of the First Step House Program youth transition into an independent living arrangement.
The Chaffee Foster Care Independence Act was passed in 1999 federally mandating States to provide independent living services to youth, ages 16 to 21, who are in foster care. Tumbleweed contracts with the State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. This program serves approximately 150 youth in foster care throughout Eastern Montana.

History:
The Tumbleweed Runaway Program began in 1976 when the Junior League of Billings was successful in securing a Runaway and Homeless Youth Grant. The "Tumbleweed Project" began and continues to serve our community with help from our many partners and volunteers. Additional programs have been added to enhance our mission and Tumbleweed is serving an increasing number of youth every year. In FY 2003/2004 Tumbleweed served 1,607 youth and their families in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program.

Contact people:

Rod Svee, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Lisa Gruber, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 406/259-3681

Address:

505 N. 24th Street Billings, MT 59101 (See a map)

Web Site: http://tumbleweedprogram.org

Directions:

Heading east on 4th Street (Downtown Billings) to N. 24th Street. Turn north on N. 24th just past the railroad tracks on the right hand side of the street.