Last week, at the annual conference of the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homeless, I had the opportunity to meet a young woman who now works as a director of a drop in center for homeless and at-risk youth in Anchorage.  She shared her story of growing up in foster care and on the streets, and how this led to her current advocacy and work with youth.  She is an inspirational and strong young woman, and it was a pleasure to meet her.

When we talk about the struggles faced by homeless and at-risk youth, we usually talk about the challenges they face.  We share about the incredible odds stacked against them, the likelihood that, without support, they will struggle to rise and succeed. This paints such a grim, distorted picture of the future of these youth that it makes us, at times, feel the weight of those odds on our shoulders.  That weight is also felt on the shoulders of these resilient young people.  When the world believes you cannot succeed, you are more likely to believe that as well.

We seldom share about the folks who do rise.  The strong, courageous, and lucky folks who, with or without support, survive and thrive despite the weights and burdens life has thrown their way.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to sit down with a young man who spent much of his teen years homeless on the streets of Fairbanks.  A sweet, smart, and dedicated person, it was a joy to see where he is today – working hard at a job he loves and enjoying stability in his life, despite the real challenges he still faces.  I have met legislators, business owners, nurses and teachers, social workers, therapists and musicians whose teens years were marked by crisis, abandonment, loss, and struggle.  I’ve heard stories from community members across Fairbanks, from all types of professions and lifestyles, who experienced homelessness as teens, and who rose, slowly, from those difficult times to find a life that they chose.

At Fairbanks Youth Advocates, we believe that young people of all experiences and backgrounds can succeed in the way they choose.  We know that with care and support they are better able to reach their goals.  We know that young people are naturally creative problem-solvers, resilient, and incredibly strong.  Despite the odds stacked against them, they break those expectations and prove that they control their own destinies.  We are inspired and strengthened by them.  We would like to share that hope and possibility.

We would love to hear your stories.  Have you experienced homelessness as a teen?  Where are you now?  Would you be willing to share your story with Fairbanks Youth Advocates?  Please contact me at Sarah@FairbanksYouthAdvocates.org if you would be willing to share your story.

You can now have our bi-monthly blog delivered to your email.  Submit your email on the right side of the screen to subscribe.  You can also subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.  Thanks for reading!