Ludacris Honored For Work With Runaways

Atlanta rapper Ludacris is being honored by the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) for his work with American youth.

Yesterday (February 26) during a NRS event in Chicago, the organization announced they will be giving Luda's non profit group, The Ludacris Foundation, the "Spirit of Youth" award.

The award follows The Ludacris Foundation's partnership with the NRS, an alliance that was forged after Luda released his single "Runaway Love" featuring Mary J. Blige. The song addresses a number of situations that youth face every day, often leading them to running away.

"The timing could not have been better with November's National Runaway Prevention Month," Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director, said via statement. "Since the release of "Runaway Love" Ludacris' and The Foundation's commitment to helping runaway youth and letting people know about the help they can receive by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY has only increased."

The oldest hotline of its kind, the National Runaway Switchboard provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources and education and prevention services to youth and families throughout the country. According to NRS records, the organization has received a 17% increase in hotline calls in 2006, while the NRS website has received nearly twice as many visitors this month as last year at this time, with the most significant increases reflected since NRS partnered with the Ludacris Foundation.

Ludacris and President of the Ludacris Foundation, Roberta Shields, will be honored with the Spirit of Youth awards on Thursday, November 1 in Chicago.