Homeless Teens

Back to 'Poverty' forum.

We need your help in advising young adults, teens and even grownups about being homeless. If there is any way that we can help young teens that are living out on the streets, we would like to do it.
This isn't just any letter and we may not know the huge factors that follow and come together in trying to help others but we can try. We have the drive, patience, and heart for it.
See, we read this article in the Lowell Sun [http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_13589526?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com] and we happened to be emotionally connected with the young teen/man. We just keep thinking, he is not alone; not even in Lowell, Massachusetts. There are hundreds of homeless people in the town/city of Lowell so imagine everyone else in the world who is also in the same boat as them. That is ridiculous and shameful. The United States is the richest continent on Earth and yet, we seem to have so many people without a home, without a job, etc.
The government only helps teens until their 18 UNLESS you are disable or still in high school. This to me is unfair. You can't get food stamps unless you're 21+ or living on your own aka "imanstapaded" with no help whatsoever from family.
And nowadays all jobs are looking for is someone who has 5-10 years of experience or a whole lot of education. Either that or no one is hiring. Go figure. We're in a recession or whatever the government wants to call it, people are losing their jobs because we have to cut back, we are in this war [which to me I believe] that is pointless, and were supposed to be the richest.... I guess the United States of America isn't so "free" after all, huh?
Just think about it. When will the 10 year plan, start? When will we be seeing the wonderful changes the city has told us about? Lowell may not be as big and as populated as Boston but it’s up there. With more population increases, with more "no pets" allowed, with more apartment owners wanting first, last AND security deposit, with the economy going downwards, this isn't the best time. Right now, more and more people are losing their jobs or losing their home. Did you know that teenagers that become homeless are either due with getting kick out of their house or with their family having economical problems?
Most young adults/teens don't become homeless due to alcohol or drugs. And yet, we can't help them. We can't make an effort to protect those that don't have fault in becoming homeless. We can't change the way society looks at them. Therefore they hide the truth, embrace the secrecy of their home, they hide from "let’s go to my place" or someone asking "wanna hang out at your place" because they have no home. They become invisible to everyone always making up excuses and feeling embarrassed. Homeless teens don’t wake up one morning and say “I would LOVE to be homeless”. That is clearly the last thought if even close to that on their mind. The days aren't becoming easier to live in, they are becoming harder.
I can relate to "feeling" homeless though I can't bare to relate to actually being homeless with no roof over your head or no protection during the night. I am thankful for everything God puts on my path like food and shelter. You can never appreciate it as much if you've never truly hit rock bottom and ended up with nothing. And there are a lot of people that have absolutely nothing.
“instead of filling your mind with complaints, hatred, and confusion... fill it with happiness, love, and satisfaction. not everyone has a roof over their head and a bed to sleep on every night, be grateful instead of selfish."
So, we are asking for your help. We need to help the communities, to prevent people from becoming homeless ESPECIALLY young teens and adults who have school and a job to also worry about. There must be something we can do. There must be something we can change. I am willing to do anything possible to help those in need. But one person won't make a difference. It takes more than one to show the world that we mean business.
Please. If anyone really cares they’ll try to make a difference. If the government really cares they’ll find a way to make the Ten Year Plan work.