YouthHope Foundation | PO Box 7803 Redlands, CA 92375 US
2024 Youth Stories
Look How Far I've Come
I’m a lead chef at a restaurant in Redlands. I love my job and love how I get to make people happy with the food I make. It’s a dream job.
This hasn't always been my life though. When I was a young teenager, I was a street kid. I would be out skateboarding most of the day causing problems with my friends.
I would go home late at night to my moms house. We didn't have much money and my mom had to work all day so I had too much freedom during the day with no accountability.
We ran into Heidi when she was walking down State Street one day. She was handing out peanut butter sandwiches. This was before she had a building or anywhere to meet. This was the time when she was learning about the problems of youth homelessness and where she should start.
What stood out to me and my friends was that when she offered food and clothes to us there were no strings attached. We didn’t have to do anything, sit through anything, and we didn't have to make any promise or deal.
Her intentions were to just help. She wanted nothing in return. I know that is why she has helped so many youth over the years.
After that initial time meeting Heidi, I continued to get help from YouthHope for years. They helped me with job searching, clothes, and Christmas Shoes.
I wore those Christmas shoes for 3 years. I never got new shoes and that gift meant so much to me.
Now that I am a self-sufficient adult with a great job and fulfilling life, I can look back and say that a pivoting point in my life was the time that I spent at YouthHope.
Thank you YouthHope for propelling me into a bright future.
My Own Bed
I grew up in the foster system most of my life. I jumped from foster family to foster family. The older I got, the harder it was to find foster families that would take me in. No one wants an older foster kid.
I ended up aging out of foster care with nowhere to go. My school was aware of my situation and my basketball coach offered to let me stay with him until I could get more permanent housing.
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and I wasn’t able to find a job or a program that could help me.
We started arguing more and more and living in his house became unbearable. One day after a pretty big fight, my coach kicked me out. He told me that I had lived there long enough and I needed to figure out my own life.
I had nowhere to go. I got in my car and started driving south. I ended up in Redlands and have lived here for a few months now sleeping in my car in parks, in parking lots, wherever I can.
I found out about YouthHope through some people I met at the park. They said that they could help me with housing. I was super excited and went down to talk to them the next day.
When I got to the Drop-In Center, I was greeted with smiles, food, and a safe place to hang out.
I talked to Heidi and immediately she was able to help me with housing.
They had an opening in their boys house and she offered it to me.
I moved in last night and the first thing I thought was “wow I finally have my own bed”.
I feel safe, warm, and taken care of. I don’t think I have ever felt all of those things that once.
Thank you YouthHope!
The Step Up I Needed
I love my family. My parents raised me, took care of me, and loved me, but we are poor. Like really poor.
We never had extra food. We always lived in a very small apartment and would have to sleep on couches. We didn’t have a car. Growing up I didn't get to experience the same things as my friends. They would get new shoes or go on vacations, and I would be worrying about how I would eat that day.
After graduating high school, my parents told me that I needed to find my own place. They just couldn't afford me and I understood.
I came to YouthHope with the hopes of getting some food and hopefully some leads on cheap housing.
When I walked into YouthHope, it felt like I was walking into a safe place. I was welcomed and offered food. I was told to take groceries home and to look through the clothes. It really felt like the beginning of a new chapter.
When I sat down with Heidi and explained my situation, she immediately started making phone calls and got me into a place that evening. It wasn’t some cheap apartment with lots of roommates, but it was a program that helped me further my education, assist me with getting a job, have my own room, and only cost what I could afford. It was a step up I needed so I could stop the cycle of poverty that I was born into and instead start a life where I could be successful and chase after my goals.
Thank you YouthHope for helping me and giving me the time and resources needed to better my life.
I will always be so thankful for the kindness you have shown me.
My Family
I’ve considered YouthHope to be my home for years now. I always stop by to get food and hang out. I would utilize their computer lab when I needed to get homework done or when I wanted to look for a job.
They even helped me find housing when I was kicked out of my house.
A few months ago, my depression reappeared. I had been able to keep it at bay through medication and counseling.
When it started coming back, I was really struggling. I should of told someone at YouthHope, but I kept it to myself. I ended up turning to alcohol and drugs even though I knew that wasn't the answer.
After a few days, I knew I had to tell Heidi. I went down to YouthHope and instantly broke down. I told her I needed help and she immediately found me a rehab center in Nevada.
I left California the next day.
I really didn't want to leave. I wanted to pretend that I could fix my problems myself, but deep down I knew that I had to get out of my current situation to be able to heal.
I’ve been at this rehab center for over a month now and I’m feeling better. I know I will be here for a while and I’m ok with that.
And you know who I call any chance I get? The people at YouthHope. They are my family. They want to know that I’m doing ok and they check up on me all the time.
So whether I find my way back to Redlands or if I stay around here to keep my sobriety, I know I will always have my support system just a phone call away.
Thank you for being my biggest cheerleaders! I will succeed!
Home At Last
I’m so angry. I came to YouthHope to cool down. My dad kicked me out 2 nights ago. I’m the only son that lives with him and he kicked me out over a stupid argument.
I’ve been coming to YouthHope since I was 11 and it has always been a safe place for me. So after spending last night out on the streets, I’m here today to see if they can help me.
When my parents split, I was the only sibling that stayed with my dad. I have always wanted approval from my dad, but usually I get hit and yelled at anytime I mess up.
Heidi sat down with me to figure out all the options that I have. After going through the types of housing that she could get me in, she asked if I had any family that I would want to live with.
That’s when I thought of my mom. She lives in Arizona with my other siblings and I haven't seen her in years.
Heidi called her to see if that was an option. I was so nervous because I have always thought she was disappointed in me for choosing my dad over her when they split up.
When Heidi explained the situation, the first thing out of her mouth was “My baby is coming home to me”.
She’s been waiting for years for me to come and live with her.
I hop on a bus in a few hours that YouthHope paid for.
I have all of my stuff, and I can’t wait to see my mom and my siblings and start a new life in Arizona where I will be loved and cared for.
Thank you YouthHope for being there for me when I just needed food and thank you for being there when I needed a huge life change.
A Place of Hope
Me and my sister live in a shed in a friends backyard.
We were kicked out of our house when I turned 18 and had no where to go. We convinced our friend to let us stay in his shed out back.
This shed isn’t fixed up. There’s no running water, no bathroom, and no real bed.
It has yard tools in it and one air mattress. That’s where we sleep.
I couldn't tell you the last time I took a shower, or the last time I didn't have critters climbing on me when I slept.
It’s obviously not the best place to be, but I don’t know if I’m ready to move forward. This shed has become a place for me where no one will bother us.
My friends parents told me about YouthHope and told us to check it out.
We went to YouthHope and immediately felt welcome. We were offered everything we could possibly need: food, clothing, a safe place to hang out and all of that was offered before they even knew anything about us.
They also offered to help with housing, education, and jobs, but right now we are still in the beginning stages of knowing what we want to do with our future. We are still dealing with the fallout of being kicked out.
We need a place to collect our thoughts, think about our dreams, and YouthHope provides that without judgement.
At this point, I know that when I’m ready to move forward, YouthHope will jump in and help. They will provide the resources and get us connected to the right place for us.
A Place to Call My Own
I love my family. Sure me and my parents would argue and fight, but at the end of the day, we loved each other and had each others back.
When I turned 18, all of that changed. I woke up to my parents telling me that I had to move out because I was now an adult and I needed to figure out things on my own.
I had nothing. No job, no money, nothing. And now I had to find a place to stay.
I called a few friends and they all told me that they didn't have anything for me. All day I was stressing out trying to figure out what to do.
At the last minute I called my Aunt and she said that I can come sleep on her recliner.
So for the next 2 months, I lived on a recliner. No bed, no room, no privacy, just a recliner with a house full of people.
I heard about YouthHope from a friend and went in one day to see if they could help me.
I immediately felt cared for. These people didn't know me, yet they stopped everything they were doing to help me find housing.
They had an open spot in their housing program and they offered it to me.
I was shocked. I was able to move in the next day!
When I walked into the house and saw my bedroom, I had tears in my eyes. I couldn’t believe that I got to call this place my own.
No more fear of being kicked out of my house, no more sleeping on a recliner and having no privacy.
This place is my home and a safe haven.
I’ve never felt such peace.
Success is Different for Everyone
I’ve never really had a stable living situation the majority of my life. I was always moving from house to house with my mom. I would sleep on the floor, on a couch, on a blow up mattress, anywhere that could fit me.
When I turned 18, I had enough. The trauma of not having a safe, permanent house left me wanting to go find my own safe place.
When I left home, I was homeless. I ended up with the wrong crowd and found myself doing drugs, fighting, and getting arrested.
I found YouthHope early on in my street life. Most days, if you walked into the Drop In Center, you could find me there.
Over the years, YouthHope helped me whenever I came to them. They never judged me.
When I turned 23 I decided I was done with the up and down of this life. I sat down with Heidi and really expressed my desire to start having a stable life.
She told me about the homeless hotel that the City of Redlands had built. It was exactly what I needed. She set up an appointment and I was able to sign up and get approved very quickly.
Its been over a year since I moved in and I am still so happy with my decision. I know I wont be here forever, but to have a place of my own that is stable is something that I have wanted and needed for so long.
I have a long ways to go in all areas of my life, but I count this as a huge success in my life.
Thank you YouthHope and City of Redlands!
There's Always Another Chance
I’ve known and have been a part of YouthHope for years. I come regularly, I use the resources all the time, and I consider the people at YouthHope to be my family.
My own family abandoned me early on in my life. I only have rare contact with my sister, but even that relationship is rocky.
I was doing good. I was in school, working, and living in a decent place. I thought that I had everything figured out.
But then I had a bad weekend. I ended up back in old habits, with old friends, and substances.
I knew that what I was doing wasn’t good, but I couldn't stop. My anxiety and depression were coming back and I just wanted to escape reality for a bit.
The next day when I was hungover and even more depressed and suicidal, I came to YouthHope.
I wasn't scared to tell Heidi what had happened and I knew that she would help. I guess that’s what happens when you are loved unconditionally. I knew that they would still love me even when I made such a huge mistake.
I came in crying and asking for help because I didn't trust myself.
Heidi got me immediate medical help and also help with my substance abuse.
I’m on my way to a rehab where I will work on healing myself. I want to get back to the healthy version of me so I can continue to succeed.
I know that I will eventually get through this, but I also know there are always second chances at YouthHope.
Thank you for loving me YouthHope, even the hard and broken parts.
"Attitudes That Attract Success" By Wayne Cordero
Thomas Edison invented so many things in his latter years. He worked in a small barn with his son, trying to perfect his latest invention. Working as usual late, an unfortunate combination of chemicals caused his latest experiment to burst into flames.
The fire spread quickly through the old wooden structure, becoming a towering inferno. Edison’s son ran around the flaming structure looking for his father, fearing that he may still be in the barn trying to save his precious life’s work. He soon found his father covered in ash and without taking his eyes off the flames, Edison said, “Son, go get your mother!” “Why dad?” His son replied. With a twinkle in his eyes his father replied, “Because your mother comes from a small town and she’s never seen a fire like his before!”
After the flames had died down, and all that was left was a pile of ash, Edison asked his son if he knew anyone with a tractor. Again his son asked why, and Edison replied, “Because it’s time to rebuild son, it’s time to rebuild!”
Your attitude is more important than you realize! It’s the most important thing about you– more important than your education, your past, your looks, or your money. Your attitude will help you make friends or cause you to make enemies, it will attract people to you, or repel them. I am absolutely convinced of the truth behind the maxim “10 Percent of your life is what happens to you, the other 90 percent is how you respond to what happens to you!” That’s where character is built. That’s where personality is formed. That’s where your attitude is expressed. Make yours a great attitude!