'Kids raising kids'

The boys live in cars or crash in crowded apartments with dozens of other ex-FLDS teens.

"I left when I was 15, and I stayed in the back of my truck," said Kevin Black.

When they come out of the Creek, the teens have only the clothes on their backs. Then they often go wild — turning to drugs, alcohol, smoking and other vices.

"It didn't matter what you had. It didn't matter how much money you made. It didn't matter how many people liked you. Anything you did, you're still going to hell," Black said. "So what's the use in trying?"

Now 26, Black has sheltered many Lost Boys.

The nonprofits estimate there are more than 1,000 teens who have either left or been kicked out of the FLDS Church.

A network is emerging of teens who have left and are willing to shelter others. The nonprofits say it's a problem of "kids raising kids."

One place many Lost Boys crash at is a crowded little house affectionately referred to as "The Butt Hut."

"We'd have people in the bedroom, down the hall, into the kitchen," Ben said, chuckling. "The only place you couldn't sleep was in the bathroom."

In the shelter, they will have supervision. There will be a book of rules, such as no smoking, no drinking. The kids who stay in the house will have to go to school.

"It's guidelines and structure," said Christensen.

Benward said she already has several boys ready to move in to the home.

"In the last two weeks, we've gotten two 16-year-olds out of the Creek," she said.

In the corner, a teenage boy stands quietly. He's only been out for three weeks now.

"I have my little brother now," Ben said.

Raising funds

Compared to the larger problem of the Lost Boys, the drop-in center really is a drop in a bucket.

"More homes will be needed. More apartments will be needed," Murphy said. "It's a community problem, and the community needs to step forward and address it."

Still, Benward said it's a start.

"This is the first time the state has acknowledged that there is a problem," she said.

Armed with a letter of support from Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, Benward and Christensen have hit up businesses to donate.

"The community can come together and take care of these kids," Benward said.

The list of needs is long.

New Frontiers for Families has set up an account at Wells Fargo Bank to accept donations for "The House Just Off Bluff."

They hope to open the shelter at the end of August.