Teen awarded for helping Massachusetts homeless youths

STONEHAM, Mass. — A Stoneham teen has been awarded for his actions in working to solve the problems faced by homeless youths.

Max Davis, 14, is being give the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award for lobbying and advocacy to get more housing and support for teens and children living alone on the street.

Max said he was moved after meeting a young Army veteran living under a bridge after being discharged. After that, he organized a group of teens to help the 13,000 unaccompanied homeless youths in Massachusetts.

"Once she finally told me her story and what happened to her, it really touched me,” he said.

Since 2013, Max has been working with local and state officials to help make life easier for young people on the streets.

"We were able to get $2 million in the budget to help homeless and unaccompanied youth," Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler said. "When you have lots of bills before you, you need to have something that makes that bill stand out, and I think he brought that."

The Diller Teen Award of $36,000 will help Max with his latest plan, a new shelter.

Cox Media Group