Going out of our way to screw those less fortunate

I don't even know where to start. First of all, another one of my naive assumptions about people has been shattered. I guess that's a good thing. I thought that basically, generally, people will do what they can to help others as long as the cause is explained to them well enough. Or at the very least, people will be apathetic, and not actually make an effort to make others' lives difficult. Obviously, there are various perspectives and stereotypes surrounding homeless youth. One might think they're irresponsible, drug-addicts, a burden on society. Okay, that's one perspective, rather superficial. If this is your perspective, it makes sense that you wouldn't want these kids hanging around, being an eyesore. In fact, you would probably be scared of them. You can't really talk to people like that, can you? But of course, that's not the whole story. I have not been affiliated with Stand Up for Kids for very long, but during the outreach nights that I have attended most of the youth I have met have been straight, drug-free for at least 5 months. Not all of them, but most of them. They want to make something of their lives, be responsible, be taken seriously -- but the deck is truly stacked against them. Reasons for their homelessness range from poor decisions to circumstances beyond their control. Those I have met are just beginning to use the center, or think about using the center, to write resumes, have an "address," and look for jobs. Many of them rely on the support that Stand Up for Kids offers, which does not involve proselytizing or pushing the kids to get off the streets in ways they are not ready for. One girl said tonight, "Stand Up for Kids practically raised me; at least they loved me more than my own mom did." I don't know how true she meant this, but the sentiment is that Stand Up for Kids staff really cares for the kids, and they know it, and they appreciate it, and they need the support. Most of them don't do anything to jeopardize that; they know they need any safety & security that they can get. This center has been officially open for a week; word has spread. Today, however, the woman from whom SUFK rents the space informed the directors that they are evicted. The reasons? Well, the kids are hanging out on all floors, panhandling in front of the building, scaring other tenants, basically providing an eyesore, and the directors painted the doors in the space purple. Some of this is true, some of it is questionable, some is flat-out false. Any guesses as to what sort of perspective this woman holds on homeless youth? Furthermore, this announcement comes three days before a serious hurricane hits Houston. Stand Up for Kids had a plan to house street kids during the hurricane to keep them safe. Now that plan is shattered, and where are these kids going to go? The woman would hear no compromise: out by the end of the week and if any street kids are spotted in or around the building they will be arrested. How would it hurt her to extend the deadline by a few days, and make some concessions for the fact that the hurricane is coming? Charity has flowed through Houston for the past two weeks around Katrina fallout. Not for the disadvantaged in Houston; and Houston street kids certainly represent the bottom of the barrel in terms of disadvantaged. Perhaps another bit of evidence that those in poverty are not on anyone's priority list, like those who couldn't get out of Houston. One girl I spoke with tonight is quite sure that this hurricane will kill her, now that she has no shelter.

Stand Up for Kids (Hi, Sean)

I've ended life as a teacher in Vermont. I didn't burn any bridges; I am still fully licensed to teach in Vermont, and will be for the next 7 years, but I don't expect to go back to that. I'm now living in Houston, and working as a waitress. This feels like a different life -- the nature of this place and this job are starkly different from everything previous. I like the work because I can leave at the end of my shift and not worry about a thing until I walk back through the restaurant doors at the beginning of my next shift. I don't have homework for this job. I don't have moral dilemmas attached to this work. The worst damage I can do is not to bring the correct food to the correct guests promptly.

I lasted three weeks as a full-time waitress. By now, I'm bored and craving something more meaningful. I read books about adolescents and about teaching. I realize that teaching filled me emotionally, spiritually, and occupied me physically and intellectually. The frustration was intense, but so was the challenge and the joy. I started to regret not returning to Randolph this year. I am quite sure that I could easily find a teaching position here, but I can't lose sight of the purpose of this year off from teaching: I am searching for something a little more fulfilling, a little less frustrating.

I found an organization called Stand Up for Kids, a national organization with a relatively new Houston branch. The group supports and advocates for the ~3000 homeless youth in Houston. On Tuesday, 13 September, they open a drop-in center downtown, which basically serves as a safe place for kids to go. I have yet to learn about the specific services the Houston center will provide. I am looking forward to becoming involved with this program -- initially, just to get a better sense of what they do and how they work, but later to think more about what I can bring to the organization and what I can learn from participating that might translate into a new professional path. All in all, I'm very excited about where this might lead.