Ozone House

Ozone House, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to "meet the needs of runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families.

[2] The organization began in 1969 in Ann Arbor in response to the growing number of runaway youth migrating to "hip" towns following the Summer of Love of 1967.

Graduates and students of the University of Michigan, local businesses, organizations, and community residents united in support of Ozone House in order to handle the increasing number of street-dwelling and panhandling runaways.

Many staff at Ozone House were college "dropouts" who recognized the need to establish trust between their clients, and in keeping with the times and lack of funds, provided physical spaces that were "non-institutional" and casual.

If such a foster home was available, the system utilized parental consent and asked for a voluntary small financial contribution to assist with the child's living expenses.

"Moling" was recognized as a risky alternative requiring caution and staff were adamant that they be used solely for crisis situations rather than casual escapes from a youth's personal or familial problems.

[10] To address these needs, Ozone began changing its structure, including phasing out its collectivist decision-making system with a more traditional board of directors.

[11] Professional, degreed staff were hired to ensure their ability to handle the social, demographic, and federal aspects of youth advocacy and assistance.

"[12] Ozone House staff and directors acknowledged that police and legal institutions were more comfortable and accepting with their approach toward at-risk youth.

A board of directors' meeting in 1974 noted that "[Ozone House] can't drift back underground after developing legitimacy in the community.