Grammy-Award Winning Rap Artist and Award-Winning Actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and his foundation, The Ludacris Foundation, are being honored with the 2007 National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) "Spirit of Youth" award for their work and dedication in helping America's youth. The announcement was made Monday evening at NRS' Spirit of Youth Launch Party in Chicago.

Ludacris' recent Grammy for Best Rap Album, Release Therapy, includes a song titled "Runaway Love," which addresses situations many youth in this country face that often times lead them to running away. When the song was released this past fall, it was a natural fit to form a partnership among Ludacris, The Ludacris Foundation and NRS.

"The timing could not have been better with November's National Runaway Prevention Month," said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director. "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."