TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS
I ended up running away at a young age and living on the streets, where my already low self-esteem was all but obliterated. I felt like a disposable commodity, in my own eyes and those of society. I started coming to Homeless Youth Alliance in my early teens, when I was living in Golden Gate Park. HYA was always a safe place where I felt protected and cared for. I truly believe that without the services provided by HYA, I would not be around today. After years of struggling, I’ve finally managed to get sober. I’m working on healing my relationship with my family, and I’m back in school, pursuing a degree in psychology. My goal is to work for an organization like HYA so that I can pass along the care and compassion that were so freely given to me. – Jenn Cowles
I left home when I was thirteen. After a brief stop on the streets of Hollywood, I made my way to San Francisco, where I stayed in abandoned lots in the downtown area. Eventually I made my way to Haight Ashbury and Golden Gate Park.
I found that I could count on Homeless Youth Alliance as a place of refuge and shelter from the environment of stress, anxiety, and bitterness of life on the streets. By eighteen, I had been a fairly consistent client of HYA for about 5 years. I finally left the streets at 19, when I was pregnant. I am currently the proud mother of a beautiful little girl, my daughter of six years now. Lillee is the apple of my eye. I am currently a successful Holistic Health and Massage Therapist.
I can hardly imagine what could have happened to me if I had not met Mary and the other people of HYA. They were so helpful to me in so many ways, and I feel as if I was saved by the help of HYA. Over the years Mary and I have developed a lasting friendship. With her help, I am on a good path, and have been able to make the right decisions. – Jessica Taylor
"I owe HYA my life. My goal is to mentor young people who are talented, and make it possible for them to sell their art instead of panhandling or selling drugs. The moral of my story is, through HYA and my own perseverance, I've been able to support myself, stay healthy, and give back." -Spenser
My name is Michael Anthony Martinez. Like many people who walk through the doors of the Homeless Youth Alliance, (it was the Haight-Ashbury youth outreach team), I was a down and out youth. I was homeless, and traveling around... sleeping in the park and spanging in the streets. I sold my artwork to make cash, and loved the feeling of having total strangers appreciate my work. When I came to San Francisco, I didn't know where to go. I heard about the HAYOT, and went there. Everyone who worked there was really awesome. They talked to me as a peer as opposed to street trash. Even though I already had a great amount of self worth, it was refreshing to have someone else see it as well.
When there was food, we all shared it, and washed our dishes... like a commune of sorts. I could wash up, brush my teeth, and clean my face properly while there. I was able to get basic necessities that too many people take for granted like soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, and shampoo. I was even able to get my Hep A Vaccines there!
I am currently living on my own in Sacramento. I have a great job as a security guard at the Sacramento Crocker Art Museum. (Can you tell I love art)? I am also attending college as a full time student at Sacramento City College. I will be transferring in a few years to Humboldt State for (you guessed it) a bachelors in Studio Arts. What the hell does this have to do with HAYOT... now the HYA? More than you would imagine.
If it weren't for the HAYOT/HYA, and programs like it, I doubt I would be where I am today. I had ambitions that this place was able to help me keep alive. I was always receiving positive reinforcement from everyone there. They didn't just believe I could accomplish what I want in life, they sincerely WANTED me to. If it weren't for support systems like these, I would still be on the streets. Too many people have a bad case of NIMBY. (not in my back yard). That is total CRAP! Everyone is nice and positive about programs to help others. Who doesn't want institutions to help the mentally challenged, or runaways, or the homeless? Everyone agrees that these programs are helpful to many....But no one wants these institutions near them.
Until you or someone you know has been there... you don't know a thing. I am living proof that this program is a necessity for homeless youth. I am living proof that with a lot of ambition and a helping hand, anyone can make it. So to all those who would dismiss HYA or say that they don't make a difference, you're wrong. -Michael Martinez
My name is Angela Pelosi and I am a San Francisco native, and for a brief time a needle user living on the street while trying to get on my feet. I used to be the person you found passed out on a bench or asking you for money. I am now a mother of 3 and living life responsibly and drug free. My life has turned around now, and my past has not caught up with me or affected my children.
When I was homeless, I was thankful to have a program like the Homeless Youth Alliance that would hand out condoms, needles, toothbrushes, and provide showers and a lot more for the people who needed help the most. Looking back now, knowing how many people were out there using needles and at risk for AIDS and Hepatitis C, I am thankful there are people trying to keep everyone on the streets SAFE.
Although we may want to turn away from or judge those we see passed out or asking for money, they will always be out there, using drugs and having sex. And without support, they will be sharing needles and having unprotected sex. These people are mostly under 30 and will one day get on their feet. Let this beneficial program continue to help prevent the lost and rejected from passing on diseases. Let this program help to guide people in the right direction with words, concern, and resources.
I fully believe that, without the Homeless Youth Alliance, we will be turning our backs on thousands of people who need help. That is not how I can view my city, which is so advanced and such a melting pot. Please let the Homeless Youth Alliance support these thousands of people who need help, because if they don’t, who will???? - Angela Pelosi
My name is Brandy. I was homeless on San Francisco’s streets two years ago. It felt hopeless....lonely, and every day seemed to get longer and longer. Homeless Youth Alliance made me feel like I mattered when no one else did. They provide priceless services to the youth of the streets, and give them hope that there is something better, a place to heal, and they never looked at me like I was less of a person than they were, even though the rest of SF pretty much saw me as nothing........I got treatment, and work full time now, and no longer use drugs as a way to escape reality. And I did all that with their help. If it weren't for them, I would still be homeless, committing crimes to eat and have somewhere to stay, and to support my drug habit. They are all the youth of the streets have, and I am forever in debt to them. So is San Francisco, whether it knows it or not.
The Homeless Youth Alliance has helped a lot of people. Without HYA there would be a lot of street kids on Haight Street sharing intravenous needles and contracting diseases such as hep B and C and HIV. Instead, the HYA provides the homeless youth of San Francisco with a needle exchange and with safe drug usage information. Also, the HYA has helped people such as myself with counseling, food and clothing. I cant even count how many times I’ve needed information regarding clinics or veterinary care for my dogs and have been able to go into the HYA and have a friendly worker help me out and give me the information I need. Or what about when I need to get my mail sent somewhere? Homeless kids don’t have a house to receive mail, but sure enough, HYA provided me with a place to receive mail from my family and friends. HYA is all we've got out on Haight Street to help us. -Cherry
I LOVED AND MISS S.F. AND ALL THE TIMES AND CRAZY ADVENTURES WITH ALL MY NEW FRIENDS AND SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE ON DA PLANET. AND IM SO GLAD AND HONORED THAT I WAS A PART OF THE HYA AND ALL IT STANDS FOR AND ITZ BEAUTIFUL SENSE OF FAMILY AND ALL OF THE COMPASSION THAT IT SHOWED. SO MANY PEOPLE TAKE IT AND ALL YOU GUYZ DO 4 GRANTED BUT YOU STILL NEVER GIVE UP ON NOBODY !! I LOVE ALL OF THE GREAT STAFF AT THE EXCHANGE AND WANT 2 SAY THAT YOURE WONDERFUL AND ALL THE GODS THAT MIGHT EXIST, IF THERE ARE ANY, SMILE DOWN UPON ALL OF YOU, FOR YOUR HEARTZ ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE IN TIMES WHERE THAT IS RARE. WHEN PEOPLE ARE HURT OR NEED HELP OR JUST A FRIENDLY EAR, THERE U GUYZ ARE. OPEN AND READY LIKE A ROCK!! YOU ARE THA ROCK 4 SO MANY PEOPLE. NEVER CHANGE I WILL ALWAYZ HAVE MUCH LUV 4 WHAT U HAVE DONE 4 ME AND ME FAMILY. SO I WILL NEVER 4-GET YOU PROMISE, THANX 4 BEING MY ANGEL. SORRY THIS IS SO DAMN MUSSHY !!!
MUCH LUVV, YOUR ERIK ....
WRITING FROM PARTICIPANTS
Alone, by Kristin D
I didn’t want to admit it
It was easy to lie
And hide the pain and
Emptiness
To smile instead of cry
I didn’t want to face it
My life is full of pain
And I long to stop
My bleeding heart
And maybe smile again
Cus I feel oh so forgotton
So betrayed and so alone
Without a trace of
Forgiveness
And no soul to call my own
I didn’t want to face
The fact
I cannot spread my wings
And my happiness
has melted
Into tears and other things
It’s hard for me to admit
The fact
My wishes have no home
And return to anguish
Bow my head and
Cry alone
I’VE BEEN THINKING LATELY…MY MOM ABANDONED ME WHEN I WAS 7 ½ AND IVE BEEN WONDERING IF I CAN FIND HER JUST FROM MY MEMORIES. BUT DO I NEED HER? IT WAS A ROUGH 7 ½ YEARS!! I DON’T KNOW…
DO I NEED HER 4 MY EXISTENCE?
SO NOW WHAT?
NOT THAT FOSTER CARE WAS MUCH BETTER. MY MOM’S MEMORY CAME TO OUT UNDER A BUNCH OF OPPRESSION AND IT’S STILL NOT EASY TO SEPARATE THE 2 HOMES.
I THINK JUST RECALLING OLD ACQUAINTANCES AND FAMILY WOULD BE POSSIBLE, SOMEONE HAS TO KNOW, ALTHOUGH I’M UNCERTAIN OF THE EMOTIONS THAT WOULD RESULT. ALSO ARE THEY WORTH IT? SHE MAY LACK THE ENTHUSIASM THAT WOULD MAKE THE ADVENTURE WORTH IT. THAT MAY HARM ME, OR AT LEAST DEPRESS ME. -ANONYMOUS