Jahiem Morgan knew he was too young to be living on his own at 15 years old, but he didn't have much of a choice. His parents died when he was 12, and he lacked a reliable home. So he slept on the streets. "It was dangerous but I did what I had to do in order to 1," said Morgan.
Morgan was among the nearly 1.3 million young people across the US. Some of them are runaways; others2abusive (施虐的) homes. They are out on their own, and many end up in 3 situations— living on the streets or in abandoned buildings.
"Most people don't even4 these kids exist," said Vicki Sokolik, who helps these teens in Florida. "There's shame that goes with being a homeless youth. So they hide what's going on with them." Sokolik was first introduced to this population in 2006, when her son told her about a classmate who was in danger of becoming5. Sokolik helped the girl, finding her a place to live.
The experience encouraged Sokolik to do 6. In 2007, she founded "Starting Right, Now," an organization that helps homeless youth get permanent housing, graduate from high school and move on to their next goal. "They come in so broken; they cannot7 others," Sokolik said. "The 8 of these kids is great. And it's great that they can be happy again."
Morgan, who has been with the group, will soon graduate from high school and head to college. "I am so 9Miss Sokolik," Morgan said. He has big ideas for his future, with the hopes of being a teacher.
"These kids' voice matters. Everyone should look for them and 10 them."
