Bridge the Gap for Homeless Youth

Dear Friend,

Homelessness isn’t something that most people think about every day. But did you know that on any given night, there are more than 1.3 million homeless youth living on the streets?* Homeless youth are incredibly vulnerable—they experience high rates of sexual assault, substance abuse, mental health challenges, and physical assault. LAYC homeless youth programs seek to find these vulnerable youth, shelter them, and give them the wraparound support they need. Please enjoy this letter from April, a formerly homeless youth:

“My name is April and I am a client of LAYC’s outreach programs. I am beyond grateful for the services I received here – from showers to hot meals, clean underclothes to a safe place to rest. My case worker, Diana, and her boss, John, have gone above and beyond their job descriptions to help me.

When I first came to this program, I was coming from a domestic violence program. Instantly, my partner, step-daughter, and I were welcomed with open arms. Over this past year, the program has helped me with my alcohol problem by giving me lots of resources and one-on-one mental health help taking me to doctors’ appointments. They also helped me with some legal problems—something I wasn’t aware they could help with. Diana stood by my side at court dates, parole meetings, and even gave me character letters.

After working with LAYC, I have two jobs, I have a better control of my drinking, and I was accepted into the rapid re-housing program after struggling with homelessness. This program brought the best out of me.  This program saved my life and gave me the hope and faith in myself that I lost a long time ago. To show my gratitude to the program, I wanted to share my story of success. I love this program and would tell any youth out there who is lost that here, at LAYC, you have a home and a family.”

- April

Every day, we give homeless youth like April a place to call home. Just $25 can provide three hot, nutritious meals to a homeless youth looking to get back on their feet. Thank you for your support.

Gracias,

Lori          

* According to the National Conference of State Legislatures: http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/homeless-and-runaway-youth.aspx

Dear Friend,

I’d like to share with you the story of Marcelo, a young person working with LAYC’s Drop-In Center staff:

“I grew up in El Salvador without ever having met my father. When I turned 17 I was sent to live with him and his wife, whom he had never even told about me. From the beginning, she treated me like I was an inconvenience and seemed to take it out on me for my father having lied to her. One day after school, after I had turned 18, my father kicked me out, telling me that he did not want to risk throwing away his ten-year marriage for a kid that he didn't even know and was only tied to by blood. Of course, hearing my own father say that about me was very hurtful, so I immediately left their house, with nothing except the school uniform that I had on. 

The night I left, there was a blizzard. Having only been in the country and in DC for a short time, I did not know where to turn, so I spent a few nights sleeping under a bridge. I looked for shelter everywhere that I could, but I just kept getting turned away. I did have one friend who let me stay with him, but he was a drug addict and I did not want to fall into his lifestyle. He started offering me drugs and I worried that if I didn't accept, he would think that I thought I was better than him and would kick me out. I started getting high a lot but quickly became aware that I did not want that kind of life. I had grown tired of him pushing me around, so I knew that I had to do something.

Having been out of school since I had been kicked out of my father's house, I went back and asked to be re-enrolled. At the school, I met Ariana, an LAYC staff person. I worked with her for a long time. She helped me get clean and provided resources for food and clothes. Unfortunately, I had to leave the school once I turned 21.

I was given the opportunity to go to North Carolina for a job. I worked in construction but was paid very little. I only stayed there for six months and then decided to return to DC. Upon arriving here, I was homeless and unemployed once again. With the $300 that I had been able to save from my job in NC, I managed to rent a room with a nice family and once again, I returned to LAYC. I reconnected with LAYC staff and they brought me to the Drop-In Center, where I was able to shower, do laundry, and even cook my own food on occasion.

After a few months, I was able to get into an LAYC housing program and I am now living in an amazing apartment. I'm back in school, pursuing my GED, and I was able to get another job in construction here locally. The Drop-In Center staff, and LAYC as a whole, are helping me turn my life around. If anyone reading this has the kindness and ability to help support LAYC with clothes, food or monetary donations, it will be appreciated by all of us here and will go far in helping LAYC with their mission of continuing to help other youth like myself.”

Thank you for your support of LAYC’s programs for homeless youth. By donating just $25, you provide three nutritious meals for a young person like Marcelo.

Gracias,

Lori