 I’m seventeen years old and I’m in Independent Living. I live in a big city and basically I live on my own, but I don’t really feel independent because I have to notify everything I do. I have a supervision plan, like I can’t leave or do anything without notifying staff or my parole officer. I was a juvenile delinquent. I was a violent child. I’d argue with the principal and security at my school. When I was 13 I started to be violent physically and my mom couldn’t handle it. I got in trouble and my mom turned me over to the police. It was just difficult to be in jail… it was very hard but I got through it. I was one of the lucky ones that got helped in institutions. I got through it by sheer luck. From jail, I went to an institution. I got in trouble there too but then I started to do what they told me I should do, and I started doing well… some kind of transformation. I think that everyone at that institution was great and they helped me change, get my GED, and see that I can do well…
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
My dad left my mom when I was three years old so I can count probably on 2 hands the total number of times I've seen him. I lived with my mom, two older sisters, and my grandma. When I was 7 years old I ended up getting placed in foster care because of negligence. One night my mom left us home and we thought we were alone. Later we found out her boyfriend was upstairs sleeping, but my sister told someone at school we were all alone and so SRS was already called. After that, I was with my mom off and on, but it was pretty much downhill from there. My mom did crack, maybe shooting up some heroin (I found a needle but never knew for sure), lots of weed, shrooms, and she was always an alcoholic. My mom struggled to feed us, so she would steal to provide for us. I learned how to steal from my mom. I'm not proud of that, but that's how it was. I'd steal bikes, car stereos. My mom would be in and out of jail. She wasn't much of a mother figure.
|
|
Read more...
|
I’m 19 and I go to college. I like learning, so college came naturally. It was something I always wanted to do to be a well-rounded person. I’m very persistent, especially when it’s something that I want. I work to get my goals. The things I want to do wouldn’t be possible without a college degree. I work hard at school and I take advantage of any opportunity available: it’s a chance to grow and learn. |
|
Read more...
|
I’m 22, I’m a sophomore in college and I have a one year- old son. I wasn’t ready for the world at 14, when I ran away from my grandma. She raised me and my two sisters because my mom has been a crack addict and my dad has been in prison since I was little. Grandma sheltered us too much; she didn’t talk about sex or anything. She was always nagging for no reason. I started running away because it was more comfortable than dealing with grandma. I love her and appreciate what she did for me, but it wasn’t all what I needed.
|
|
Read more...
|
 I’m 19 and I’m in college. I’m unemployed and last week I found out that I am pregnant. I’m excited about my pregnancy. I’m going to use my pregnancy as a motivator to go to school because I want a better life for myself and my child. My boyfriend is supporting me now, but I can’t let anybody bring me down. I have to stand up for myself.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Growing up, I lived in a trailer park in a small town with my mom, dad, younger brother, and sister until I was about 8-years-old. That's when my parents split up. I lived with my dad and step-mom until I was about 11. At that point, things got really hard, because my dad went to prison and I started moving around all the time. At first I was living with family and friends that I knew, but then I went into foster care. It was hard to be away from my family and not be able to see my younger brother and sister. At least I enjoyed going to school and I got along with my teachers. In fact, I still stay in touch with a couple of teachers from elementary school.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment