Our homeless youth deserve a chance

We are invited every day to take the o pportunity to acknowledge and make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. Many of these are our youth that need support, guidance, nurturing and encouragement. These factors can ensure a healthy development and bright future.

Yet many youth, due to countless issues beyond their control, do not have a family to help them thrive or become well-adjusted. The longer they are without a safe, stable, and authentic experience of being valued, the greater chance they will fall victim to all the negative influences that are waiting for them. In short, there are many. Those negative influences seem to wait patiently and know exactly when youth are at their most vulnerable. It can happen slowly over time as they slip and slide, or very quickly before they realize they are standing on the edge and staring into the abyss.

Many of our youth are victims of abuse and/or neglect in their own families. Their families are dealing with substance abuse and mental illness. These youth believe they are safer on the streets than in their families’ homes. But the streets are a dead-end road, which can lead them to their own substance abuse, mental illness, sexually transmitted infections and crime. They can become mules (drug carriers), dealers, and the most horrific, victims of sex trafficking.

With a community stepping up and into the lives of our youth, many can sidestep those obstacles to healthy lives. Obviously, we would hope people find help before they end up on the streets or in homeless camps. Along with church youth groups, youth can become active in clubs, Boy or Girl Scouts, and school or community sports. And, most importantly, students are able to stay in school to graduate with caring and supportive teachers, counselors, nurses and administrators in their lives. In these many different organizations and areas, youth develop their character, commitment to personal goals, and they become resilient enough to develop into fully functioning adults.

Some are going to need more support and scaffolding to overcome tremendous events in their lives. And, those youth will be the most challenging to help. They have trust issues and are skeptical that someone cares enough for them to not give up on them. They will justify, minimize and rationalize their behaviors. Even with authentic actions by caring adults, they will self-sabotage, believing they are not worthy of help or being successful. But we have to bring those youth in even closer. Every one of them is worth it. No matter what they have experienced, they can be the person they were meant to be. And someday those youth could very well be able to reach back and help other, younger youth who are navigating the similar events they experienced.

MY House invites the community to be involved with our homeless youth. We can be the mirrors of brightness in their lives. They deserve a chance, and to know they are worth our time. There is no greater gift than the giving of our time, especially for those who have lost the experience of caring adults in their lives. MY House has many different opportunities from outreach on the streets to providing meals for Supper Club, or being part of a meaningful conversation. With you in their lives, they can make unique and valuable contributions in our community. Be the brightness that shines into the lives of our homeless youth.

For more information, call 373-4357, or visit the MY House drop-in center at 300 N. Willow St., Wasilla.

Michael P. Carson is the Vice President of MY House.