‘Homeless kids are people, too’

I had the opportunity to be present during a telephone interview featuring a group of homeless teens. The interview was conducted by Agnew/Beck, a research and consulting firm in Anchorage, charged by the Alaska Mental Health Trust to do an impartial third-party scope of homeless issues through interviews and provide a summary document, with a full matrix menu. This full matrix menu would address homeless populations, existing services, gaps, strengths and opportunities in the Valley.

I was very impressed with the rigorous honesty from these teens. What jumped off the page for me was just how much they felt judged by circumstances beyond their control. They felt like second-class citizens, dismissed — and actually outcasts. This displacement was due to parents that weren’t in the picture, with some having left the state. Some parents had their own legal, health or medical problems so they couldn’t provide a safe and secure home environment. In other cases, there were stepparents who created tense and uncomfortable situations. Sometimes there was abuse and they didn’t want to be subjected to that treatment. But most of times, a different couch or bed came with a price, before or after being offered, especially if you were a girl.

These teens thought homeless kids were using alcohol and drugs because they were so depressed, hopeless and helpless. And yes, maybe some were rebellious, but again, it was mostly situations beyond their control that they felt forced them to become homeless, which was a better alternative than living at home. Yet, these particular teens, even in homelessness, wanted something better. They all had goals they wanted to achieve, and most impressively, they knew they needed help to meet those goals. My take was they had “street smarts” and were survivors, but they were coming up short to break the cycle, up against so many odds.

First, they wanted a place where people would accept them and treat them with respect. I was amazed at their insights, knowing basic needs had to be met first, before meeting other challenges in their lives. They were open to the idea of a shelter, with reasonable expectations. In their own words, rules were OK. But, what was clear was the shelter had to be safe.

Again, I was deeply impressed with the solutions they were able to express to assist themselves and others like them to get a hand up and move beyond their current living situations. It was like they had it memorized. It just rolled out. After a safe bed came showers, toothbrush and other hygiene items, then clothes, laundry and again a nice, warm place out of the snow. This list continued with access to computers and a big one: transportation to school. They wanted to continue their education.

It didn’t stop there. They expressed the need for recovery from alcohol and drugs, along with other personal (abuse) issues. Also, they wanted job employment skills and money management. Without those tools, they would have to jack (steal) items to sell for money. They really wanted to make honest money for an honest life!

I never heard they just wanted a free ride or a handout. They wanted to get back — back from the streets, or more accurately, out of the woods, campers, dugouts or cabins with no running water or heat. They were tired of the crazy people out there, the fights, and they wanted to move forward.

These homeless teens need a jumpstart. How many of us have needed a jumpstart because of a dead battery to get to work? Now, let’s get to work. You can jump in by participating in Family Promise’s annual fundraiser to benefit the homeless population.

Cardboard City will be held at the Alaska State Fairgrounds July 15, starting at 5 p.m. and running through 8 a.m the next morning. Come sleep in a box and enjoy a simple meal with other like-minded concerned community members wanting to make a difference. There will be security and bathrooms, with live music, contests and prizes, along with testimonials. It will be an evening you will not forget. Please consider joining the event even if you do not plan to spend the night. All are welcome.

Any support and donations are appreciated. For more information call Family Promise at 357-6160, or visit familypromisematsu.org.

Finally, what took me by surprise in this interview was not the range of reasons why these teens were homeless, or any surprise that rules were OK staying in a shelter, but the last statement one said as he left. At first, he said it under his breath, but he was asked to repeat it louder for the interviewer to hear. These were the last words stated before everyone left the room: “Homeless kids are people, too!”

So telling.

Michael Paul Carson is a member of the Mat-Su Coalition of Housing and Homelessness.