Weekend fun provided by MY House

WASILLA — MY House had scheduled a very busy weekend. They coordinated the second annual Luna Fest Friday night at Mat-Su College, a food drive in conjunction with the Home Builders Show, sponsored a showing of the “The Marvelous Wonderettes” at Valley Performing Arts and threw a sock hop at Gathering Grounds.

At VPA, they also provided refreshments that included to-die-for homemade treats called moon pies and fluffernutters (sandwiches made of peanut butter and marshmallow cream, cleverly shaped like houses). A fundraising silent auction completed the VPA event.

On to the sock hop, where Gathering Grounds was festively decorated with a huge cutout of what looked like a ’54 Chevy, and vinyl records and lanterns hung from the ceiling. Delicious root beer floats were free for the asking. Large replicas of donated checks hung on one wall.

While awaiting the start of the dance, a young man named Kenneth said that on his 18th birthday his mom kicked him out of the house. Homeless and without means, he said he found his way to Gathering Grounds. MY House volunteers offered him food, clothing, help with employment and assistance to finish high school.

“That’s a lot when you have nothing,” Kenneth said quietly.

I asked Kenneth if he told his friends or teachers that he was homeless.

“No,” he replied, “I tried not to worry anyone.”

Courtney, a tall, polite young woman, said she initially visited Gathering Grounds for First Friday, a monthly evening of music and poetry readings. Here she met fellow schoolmates whom she did not know were homeless. Although she said she has a home and family, she comes to Gathering Grounds because, “I have a lot of stress in my life. I can come here and relax, have fun and be myself.”

She said she would like to visit more often, perhaps work or volunteer at Gathering Grounds.

“Kenneth is amazingly strong and happy, considering his situation,” she added. “The people here are so giving,”

While interviewing director Michelle Overstreet, Bernadette Rupright, the wife of Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright, came in dressed appropriately in pedal pushers and a ponytail. She talked with Overstreet briefly before writing out a check as a donation.

Overstreet greets the hesitant young man standing at the door by name, asks him if he’d like a root beer float. He replies, very softly, that indeed he would. She points to the counter and tells him to help himself.

Overstreet says MY House has screened more than 100 youth and maintains more than 40 contacts per week.

During a tour of the facility, it’s obvious Overstreet is cooking with all four burners, on high, all the time.

“I’m supposed to do this,” she said.

She said she couldn’t know there are so many homeless youth in the Valley without doing something to help.

Eventually, the music starts and the youth present demonstrate a couple of dances called the “Choo Choo Boogie” and “Rockin’ Robin.” After a demonstration, the kids said it was time for the adults to learn a dance.

Deborah Waisanen, events coordinator for MY House (dressed in black-and-white Oxfords and a poodle skirt) along with other friends joined in.

Giggles, out-right laughter, hooting and hollering follows. The adults watch carefully to learn the steps and hand movements. When it gets to the John Travolta “Saturday Night Fever” disco steps, the group proceeds in unison and even Overstreet joins in. The line of dancers fills the room.

When the song ends, a new beat resumes and the youth partner up for a swing dance.

MY House pays a $5,000 rent bill each month and needs sponsorships and cash donations. Homeless youth need underwear and socks; things you don’t usually find in a thrift store. They also need meals. Valley residents can volunteer to donate a meal (they feed six to 10 kids each night) once a month or just one night, or come in and eat with the kids. There are lots of tasks to do like sorting clothes, stuffing envelopes, filing, etc. All volunteers must pass a background check.

MY House is making connections with and for homeless youth. The average client is 20 years old. One in three youth contacts has formerly been in foster care, part of a national trend of youth who age out of the foster care system.

Overstreet said she would like to eventually provide some sort of safe shelter for teens, too.

“Twenty-five years from now I hope MY House is still here, that we have more loving on kids, less kids in need, and more help.”