Stories from the Youth
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Jessica, 17
A Senior in high school. Jessica is a very good student getting excellent grades and planning for college. However, she had grown up in a home with a verbally and emotionally abusive mother. Mom controlled everything. When Jessica turned 16 she left home to get away. A community member that she knew through her church took her in. Jessica holds down a job at a local restaurant for minimum wage, and the money she makes there is all she has. Mom has kept both cars Jessica bought with the money she earned, and says when Jessica graduates she can have one. Jessica will be first person in her family to graduate. She has been accepted to a religious college and wants to help others who have had a rough start in life. Jessica’s biggest barrier is that her mother never allowed her the freedom to learn about the world around her. She knows nothing of how to get help, ride public buses, talk to adults, or even how to obtain a Social Security Card. |
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Jose, 14
An 8th grade boy in middle school. Jose lives with his 19 yr old sister in a small, substandard trailer. His father died years ago and his mother has been deported back to Mexico. Jose and his sister were born here, so they are allowed to remain. Jose speaks good English but has had many holes in his education. He has moved a lot and been forced to work to support his family. Now his sister pays bills and Jose tries to catch up in school. When he goes home his sister can’t help with home work. Jose has a good attitude but really needs a tutor to help him reach his academic goals. |
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Carrie, 15
A 9th grade girl in high school. First found homeless when she was in the 5th grade, she was living with her mother in a tent in her Uncle’s back yard. Carrie, the oldest of 3 children, and her mother were on their own after dad was jailed on drug charges. CPS came calling and Carrie and her siblings were farmed out to various friends. One year later, when Carrie was in 7th grade, her mother came back to collect all of the kids after dad was released from jail. Carrie was fed up with the drugs and abuse that were part of a life with her mother, and she said “No. I will not go”. By the time Carrie was in 8th grade, she too, had a drug abuse problem. She had to leave where she was staying due to arguments over drug use. With nowhere to go, Carrie bounced from friend’s home to friend’s home looking for acceptance until she had finally burned all bridges. She was forced to leave town and move in with a friend who also abused drugs. Sadly, we no longer know her whereabouts. |
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Dan, 18
A senior in high school. Dan turned 18 just 2 ½ months before graduation, at which time his parents told him they could no longer afford to support him. He was forced out on his own. Dan has been seen around town sleeping in dumpsters, and on people’s couches as often as possible. Dan is still on track to graduate, but with no adult supervision, is making poor choices. These choices include skipping school, doing drugs, stealing… Dan just needs and adult who cares about him, something he has never had. |
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Jack, 14
An 8th grade boy in middle school. Jack’s mother was deployed overseas, and he was left with his stepfather. They did not get along, so his stepfather sent him to live in a shelter in another town 20 miles away. Jack had to change schools in order to stay in the new location. |
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