Lantjah
101361
1106
37
#Repost
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Heartbreaking story of a teen who’s been homeless since the age of 13.
#homeless #invisiblepeople
Sep 18, 2023 4:01 PM
Lantjah
101361
1106
37
#Repost
——
Heartbreaking story of a teen who’s been homeless since the age of 13.
#homeless #invisiblepeople
MeisterKleister
NonExistingWisper
Fuck that hits hard...
SolarFlaair
Here in the USA we don't care about the poor. People rant that the auto workers want too much but right now, the average worker cant afford an apartment, food, and a vehicle. This country is fast becoming a 3rd world. People need to look in the mirror and vote on how they want to be treated because right now the middle class is quickly becoming the lower middle class and soon, poor. Republicans want NO social services including Social security. The elderly can starve.
nevostudio1
Is there a full interview? any source?
JohnBrooks2001
My late partner was a foster kid in NJ in the 70s. It was so bad,he ran away at 15 and went to Fl,where he was able to get a job and rent a room. At 15 . He refused to talk about the foster years,but the few times he did it was chilling. So many foster parents treated those kids as a check and nothing else. No love,no compassion,no real interest in the kids. He was in foster care for 10 years,and they did a number on him mentally. These clips kill me. That poor little girl.
Noahbalboa82
To add some context, Portland OR services for the homeless have been terrible for a while now. The fucked up thing is we have money set aside for homeless services, and they've not been spending what is allocated. There's $11 million in backlog that should have been spent. The heart and money is there, but not the mgmt. It was likely a big factor in recent elections. It's so heartbreaking, I drive by tent cities every day for work.
WonderingTrees
Like many countries, currently and throughout history, the late stages of a societal structure like the one in the US creates large amounts of disparity. Being ‘the richest country’ is not ‘the fairest and most socially responsible country’ and many many many of us in the US want the latter. The former has been fighting to make it this way for decades.
MMVB
As someone from the Netherlands: HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE???? I’m sure there are heartbreaking examples overhere, let’s not make this a challenge, but America is really a sick same CK country.
nevostudio1
She seems a nice person.
OejaNegra
Soul crushing.
certainlynotaserialkiller
its the american dream. its the whole bootstraps thing we keep hearing
irrational1618
So, never went to high school. Not enough education to get a GED. Probably can't even get a minimum wage job... I'm trying to think of a path for her to get out, but I don't know of one. I wonder if she even has any of her documentation like birth certificate and SSN.
sadurdaynight
The "get a job you lazy bum" folks don't seem to understand that you need a phone, internet, place of residence, etc... unless you can pass as hispanic and hit the home depot pay-under-the-table circuit.
GerbilHereReportingLiveFromRichardGeresAss
If you're out there at 13 you don't have education, you're too young to be hired, you will most likely spiral down easily and by the time you're allowed to work nobody would want to hire you if you make it out of those many years of neglect. Social services should help but I'm not sure to what extent. In fact I'm surprised how she was allowed to roam those streets as a child.
Ste3lS0u1
Some stains never wash off. I have tried.
n0n53n53
So many of these kids on the street start out in the foster system. We're failing these kids
VelocityofCuriosity
I Live in Portland, OR. There are public services but they are overwhelmed. There is money but they can’t decide exactly how to handle what I think is a long slow humanitarian crisis. Down town after dark is sketchy af. It’s not the worst place to be homeless…
DJOldguy
Why is this shit going on in the richest and most powerful country the world has ever seen? Why do we allow it? Simple, too many asshole Republicunts screaming "Socialism" when you hold your hand out to help people. Fuck 'em!!!
BootsDusty
graehall
There's no hate like christian love
wizardOTC
Fucking heartbreaking. Wish I could open my home to people in need. Makes me want to cry. That poor child.
n0n53n53
There are also a large number of foster kids who either get kicked out like this young lady, or age out and get left on the street with nothing at 18. There's of course a likely overlap with the homeless foster kids and LGBTQ kids
Shinikitty
She looks cleaner than some homed people I have seen before. The saddest part of the story is that she likely knew she could get help and go to the authorities to get placed with another foster family. She felt safer or better staying homeless rather than go back to the foster care system. I knew two kids who were foster kids in my neighborhood growing up. One summer day(105) we saw them walking in the street. I went out to see what they were doing
Shinikitty
Their foster parents didn't trust them at home alone so they locked them out anytime the would go anywhere. Needless to say we had them come in get a drink and food and hang out till they were back. Anytime they were locked out they were welcome at our place. It is just crazy how bad foster parents can be when people and kids just need someone to love and trust them.
RagingNorseman
You did the decent thing! Thank you!
Calicious
My mother told me she saw the devil in me and kicked me out at 17. I didn't smoke, drink, curse, have sex, or do drugs. I was a good Christian kid. I just had ADHD. I slept in a cement pipe with a towel as a blanket until I almost froze to death, then found a boat that was abandoned in a field. I showered & washed clothes at school. I got a job at McDonald's and used my first few paychecks to buy a shitty car to live in. I'm genuinely lucky I survived.
introvert4life117
I was born and raised in the USA. I've been told my entire life that this is the greatest country on earth. I'm now 38 and I've yet to see any real reasoning or evidence behind this claim. Nothing, in 38 years. It's just empty words. This country doesn't give a damn about it's poor. Even if they're children. How is that great? For a nation that claims to be "Under God" we sure aren't godly. The Bible says in no uncertain terms that those who have should care for those who do not. WTF America?
IIikethecutofyourjib
I like that homeless people are being talked to and she gets to say stuff about her life, but his reactions are really annoying.
SlutAtNight
“Oh my gosh “…? That? Yeah…
iDrawStuff
You mean the sympathizing, disbelief, empathy and expressing concern for another human being's welfare? Yeah, hate that shit.
IIikethecutofyourjib
I'm just saying it sounds fake and like they're trying to hype up the video. It seems insincere to me.
pareidoliaperson
This wasn't so bad. I do hate those interviewers who tend to show a lot of kind of fake sympathy like it's not like it's the first time they hear terrible stuff like this. This one time a Japanese speaking American was interviewing a Japanese pornstar and he asked her the dumbest thing to the point of shaming her and she started crying. Was a big youtube back then, got a well deserved outrage in the comments.
GermanGuy79
As announced in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, in June 2021 European institutions and bodies, EU governments and civil society committed to working together towards ending homelessness in the EU and launched the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness.
GermanGuy79
https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1061&langId=en
nickylbox
I was kicked out at 13. I was a bad kid but the moment I left the insanity of that home, turns out I was good kid. Very broken but not bad. I eventually got a job at 15, got an apartment and made a life for myself. No help from anyone. I'm almost 60 now. I'm still broken.
VelocityofCuriosity
I’ve experience similar abuse. I highly recommend looking into something called Complex PTSD. I started with a book called Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents but the book that has really helped me heal core wounds and repair my damage is called Complex PTSD, Surviving to Thriving. We may not completely repair ourselves but we are not beyond healing.
Comon42
I have almost the same beginning. Much different person though as I just hung out, partied, and did day jobs to get by. Never got myself situated in a stable place as a young person. Still broken.
1Ofold
same
gingersnappin
There’s a lot of us that are broken with you brother but it makes us who we are 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻we did it I’m proud of you!!
GnomeDeGuerre
I'm sorry, it shouldn't have been like that.
Pseudobatrachotoxin
Rather than calling yourself broken, friend - shaped to be the way you are by your surroundings. It is through the history of the subject in question that we understand why it got to its current state… much like https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi , the mending of the subject through thought and intention is often the point of beauty that wouldn’t be there had it not been for the trials and tribulations suffered before the healing had been needed.
Eldis
There's no need to romanticize damage a person has sustained during his life.
owlcatsanctuary101
My heart goes out to you. I'm so proud of you for having picked yourself up, when the people responsible failed you when you needed them the most. I hope you still can and can take joy from giving other people the love and attention they need and deserve. Don't repeat the past. I'm but a stranger in the void, but I love you and you are deserving of love.
nickylbox
thank you. this made me tear up
owlcatsanctuary101
Silent1fd
And now you would need 3 jobs to afford an apartment
KILLERCHROMATIC
I’m sorry. That’s brutal but so glad you ended up in a much better place!
Theguywiththejokes
All kinds of love and support is available here and elsewher. I'm 51 and finally dealing with the scars of my childhood and youth. I was reminded of Kintsugi, a Japanese art/tradition of repairing broken pottery using gold so it is even more beautul than it was. Start blending gold into the glue and get some help fixing yourself.
FayeWillow
I love this. Thank you for the comparison.
GnomeDeGuerre
That was a good post, the first share of Kintsugi.
xantous4201
Don't people that foster have to report ever so often about the kids they are fostering, since they get money for the foster? How does a foster parent "kick a child out" and the government not ask any future questions?
n0n53n53
the foster care system in this country is very broken. They likely said she ran away and they can't find her. If she turned up to the foster program she'd be sent back to the same shitty family or maybe another one. Lots are just in it for the money
newsguycraigevans
She ran away. I can't find her. - selfish prick that kicked out a foster kid
xantous4201
To which I would reply, Did you file a missing persons report? Show me that documentation. How long has it been since they ran away?
Nnoodles
Been there before. I was kicked out when I was 15, but it was so long ago and a different time. I got a job working construction for $10/hr cash. I would ride my bike to school and to work after. I rented a really really shitty house with 3 other guys that was 7 miles from town. It really sucked when the weather was bad. Saved up and bought a cheap snowmobile for the winter. The difference is I was in a small town and a long time ago... doing this in a city HAS to suck even more.
KILLERCHROMATIC
Oh man I’m really sorry. Good job you on getting through it!
SomeFukinWizard
The end of the For Cash jobs is a pretty scarry thing in my eyes. I mean, yea, they are taking advantage of you and skipping out on taxes and all kinds of things, but those places could be a stepping stone to getting out of the gutter. No ID? No shower? No suit? No problem. Do the work, get paid, get ahead. I worked a few in the 90's as a kid in the summer, when 400 bucks a week, cash, was outstanding money. It helped a lot when I was still in HS my mother got sick and her BF abandoned me.
Comon42
I was homeless as a teenager and these "day jobs" were my bread and butter. Literally.
infernopg
As a european, how does the kicking out part work exactly? Here your parents have to provide you shelter until you're 18 they can't just kick you out (same goes for foster parents or other types of guardians). I don't understand they'd put you in jail if you did that and then give the kid into proper foster care
CloseupCaptionReaction
They will still kick you out, I know this because 2 friends got kicked. As long as the kids (or someone) doesn't call the police, nothing will happen. As a kid the last thing you'll ever do is call the cops. And sueing your way back into the appartement doesn't seem like a good idea after they willfully wanted you out.
infernopg
That's the point that I'm confused about, how is it that noone does anything. That the kid doesn't know what to do is logical ofcourse because they're just a kid but no one notices and helps the kid. That is what I'm surprised about, even with not wanting to go back which is completely reasonable the parents would be forced to pay money to the kid (that has got to be decided through court though)
Rovylern
infernopg
I mean sure interesting statistic. Doesn't answer my question though, are there no laws against this in the US or how is it possible to basically abandon a child?
Nnoodles
I can't speak for everyone else's situation but for me it was an abusive alcoholic father. It was physical fights, it was mental anguish and if I "do not like it, then leave. In fact, GET THE FUCK OUT!" and as a kid, I did not know laws. In that heat of the moment, you have two options in front of you and no other guidance, no help. You just roll with it...For me, in that moment, staying wasn't good, leaving was better.
infernopg
Yes that I fully understand what I'm surprised about is that no one else cares to report it, help you. I don't think a kid could be homeless around where I live before someone notices and takes action.
Rovylern
Oh, there are laws... the problem is the agencies/people tasked with enforcement of those particular laws are chronically underfunded because it would take away from Rich People's Yachts.
infernopg
I see that is problematic
ThePakistallion
Obviously mental health is an issue here but Crazy that nobody at any point decided to give her some kind of job…. Like anything entry level or low skilled that would at least provide a shelter and some steady living.
dontWasteBandwithWithBadMemes
also when you are spending all your days getting your basic needs filled, you don't have 12 days free to go work without any direct money for your next meal. so you can't afford working for a job that will pay only on next week.
bikergeek6249
To get and keep a job you typically need things like a stable address and phone number, and you need a way to shower and change clothes and make yourself presentable for work every day. Also I doubt she has a high school diploma and most places won't hire you without one.
LlamaLlama0
Adding to what you said, let's say that there was a business that was willing to hire a 14-year-old, homeless girl who doesn't have access to reliable transport, no work history, no education past middle school, no phone number and no permanent address. How much are they going to pay? Do you really think it's going to be enough for "shelter and some steady living"?
ThePakistallion
It’s gonna be shit. She would have to stay with someone for sure. Maybe even have someone pick her up, work under the table even. But it’s gotta be better than a forest. It’s not normal. But it’s something. Custodial, delivery, service, all not ideal but a step towards something better perhaps.
LlamaLlama0
Why? If my choices are "spend an hour foraging for food in the forest" or "spend three hours doing hard labor for a sketchy business that will pay me less than minimum wage with no opportunity for career advancement so I can buy a chicken sandwich", I'm picking Option A.
ThePakistallion
Sure. You’re free to do whatever suits you best. Forest foraging seems like a bit more work tho. Less sustainable and less shelter security and safety. There is an ocean in between foraging and hard labour, this discussion is always so extremely polarized. Not saying there isn’t a wage gap or some subsidies that could work for all. Just saying that effort and work can be financially motivating, temporary options exist to work and earn.
Hammertulski
Portland area resident here - this isn’t a town where a job means shelter or support unless you have friends or a generous helping network. This is also not a town where health resources, let alone mental health, are readily available even for insured patients. This person is facing an enormous uphill battle daily and I fully understand that just basic 24-hour survival ends up being the most that can be done each day.
ThePakistallion
Not disagreeing with you, just seeking some perspective on why people don’t relocate when it’s not that far or expensive outside a relatively short distance.
ThePakistallion
I’m familiar with it. The city has become expensive but there are areas surrounding it with much less cost of living. Why not venture out past Salem. It’s 40 mins away on train.
LlamaLlama0
...because there are even fewer homeless resources outside the city.
ThePakistallion
I’d actually heard the opposite. Salem had built new facilities but it was slow to gain traction as few people wanted to leave PDX. Here is one such place. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/04/12/new-state-funded-homeless-shelter-opening-in-former-salem-hotel/ im hearing this from a resident who’s in the Heath-care industry, but obviously it’s not to be taken as law.
LlamaLlama0
Salem does have some solid homeless resources. But then you're just moving from one city with a high cost of living to another city with a high cost of living. Congratulations, you're right back where you started.
LlamaLlama0
You heard wrong. There are many more homeless resources in Portland than there are in places with a low cost of living, like Vernonia, Warren, or Sheridan.