Times have changed

Homelessness is dark, lonely and full of despair. And, it has many other different aspects, angles and sides. It is very complex with many elements that lead up to being homeless. Also, it is evident that homeless youth are dealing with so many more issues than 10 or 20 years ago.

The major issues of that time were truancy, alcohol and marijuana use. Today, many homeless youth come from very dysfunctional families. They have more legal problems and mental health diagnoses. Now, homeless youth are abusing meth and heroin, along with Spice (synthetic marijuana) and bath salts, and prostitution and sex trafficking are much more prevalent. The times have definitely changed!

Maddie (not her real name) is a homeless youth from the Mat-Su. She sought safe harbor at Covenant House in Anchorage because we have no emergency crisis shelter in the Valley for her, or other homeless youth. She, like many other homeless youth, does not currently meet the criteria for housing in the Mat-Su.

There are three formal housing sources for those under 18 in the Valley. First, there is housing for youths who have a mental health diagnosis. The second is housing for youths leaving juvenile detention, but are unable to return home for safety reasons. And lastly, housing for youth is available through foster care. Now, if one is older than 18, the criterion is money. In short, one has to earn enough money to afford rent.

In Maddie’s case, she is under 18, homeless due to no fault of her own and would fall into the group of homeless youth called the “unmet niche.” In other words, she and other homeless youth have not “yet” met one of the three formal housing criteria. Without intervention, she and others could eventually qualify, if they stay out there long enough. That price is too high!

Since staying at Covenant House, she has had to ride the bus out to the Valley to attend her home school and ride the bus back into Anchorage. Her attendance has been less than 50 percent. I am sure all her grades have suffered. Then, she walked away from Covenant House for some time staying with new friends, started using meth and became one of the “lost girls.” I define a lost girl as one who lives a street lifestyle of carrying and selling drugs for a dealer. And worst of all, being a victim of prostitution and sex trafficking.

I became aware of her situation due to her lack of attendance, disappearing from Covenant House, hanging on the streets of Anchorage and using drugs. I shuddered. But, by the grace of God, she eventually checked herself back into Covenant House before things spiraled down even farther for her. Yet, her attendance at school has not improved. I am not surprised. It is my understanding there has only been one student who has been successful with attendance riding the bus back and forth for a semester. But, now that person is living in Fairbanks and in a group home to accommodate mental health diagnoses.

Last I heard, Maddie was looking for part-time work in Anchorage. She will not be able to continue school in the Mat-Su and work. She will cut her ties with her support system of teachers, counselors and the school nurse in the Valley. She will hopefully transfer into the Anchorage School District to complete her high school requirements to graduate. She will have to transition into a group home or a supervised living arrangement for this new stage of her life to be successful. I believe all those changes are a set up for dropping out, going back to the streets to a life of drugs — or worse, her life ending.

I hope I am wrong. I hope that at 16 years old, she can hold her own, live as an independent woman, find part-time work and most importantly, graduate. The prospect of pulling all this off — basically on her own — is, to say the least, a huge, monumental challenge. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. She is someone’s daughter and I am thankful my daughter never had to experience the darkness, loneliness and despair that comes with homelessness.

I have personally experienced firsthand picking up homeless youth and transporting them into Covenant House. Now I am convinced more than ever of the need for an emergency crisis shelter in the Valley. We need a shelter that operates 24/7, with trained staff, and most importantly, where a homeless youth can walk in the door any time of the day or night.

The shelter would provide a full range of services under one roof without having to transport homeless youth to community services spread throughout the Valley. And lastly, no one is turned away until a full assessment determines a more appropriate housing option.

I strongly believe it is unacceptable for our homeless youth to seek safe harbor 50 miles away and ride back and forth to stay in their home school in the Mat-Su. We know it does not work. And we know the dead-end streets are just a few steps in a different direction from the bus stop to catch a ride out to the Valley for school.

The time for change is now. Join the good fight with MYHouse to seek a complete continuum of care with a full range of services for our homeless youth. They are our kids.

For more information, call 373-4657 or visit myhousematsu.org.

Michael P. Carson is vice president of MYHouse. Contact the nonprofit by phone at 373-4657 or online at myhousematsu.org.