The shift from adolescence (青春期) to adulthood can be hard and often filled with hardship and lessons learned, especially for young people experiencing homelessness.
Frankie, a young woman who feels lucky to have had the caring support from her dad Frankie's dad raised her, and they were very close. When he suddenly passed away two years ago, Frankie didn't know how she would survive. With no family or relatives to take her in, she fell into a depression. She bounced from home to home, losing trust she'd ever gain stability.
One Friday afternoon, Frankie sat at a park bench outside of school. As she was worrying about where she was going to live, she suddenly remembered something her dad would tell her when she was little.
"Don't ever give up," said Frankie. "If dad were here, he would tell me that."
Those words encouraged her to seek help from Noel, a YouthCare case manager, who helped her find accommodation at Catalyst, one of YouthCare's community living programs, YouthCare provided a path back to stability. Frankie was thankful to have a routine: dish washings after dinner, weekly game nights, and check-ins with a mental health doctor every Thursday. At Catalyst, Frankie received consistent support and found additional resources for her mental health care. Outside of her Thursday appointments, she participated in weekly homework assignments focused on well-being and goal-setting for the future.
Noel showed great surprise at Frankie's positive changes with each passing day. She earned her GED, and it wasn't long before she began searching for her first job. With the help of Noel, Frankie applied for a handful of positions in health or fitness. Frankie jumped with excitement when she received an interview call for a front desk position at a local gym!
Dressed in green, her dad's favorite color, Frankie entered her interview with confidence. Noel smiled very happily when Frankie received a second call later that day with news that she got the job.
Too many young people come to YouthCare with their own story. Each of them deserves a path back to stability a stable home, consistent support, and access to treatment services necessary to become well. Like Frankie, they can imagine new possibilities and change the course of their own story through encouragement and treatment.
