As an advocate for the many legal issues facing homeless teens, Stacey Violante Cote has had her own share of challenges.

For example, Cote said it’s not uncommon for her to lose touch with homeless teens because their telephone minutes have run out. Sometimes, she said, the teens get in touch with her by using the phone of a friend who they are no longer talk with. Or maybe they were staying at a friend’s house, but have since moved.