Sharing Hope
In March 2023, our program director heard from a former FYI participant with whom we lost touch. His text message said, “Hi Gina. It’s Jorge.* I just wanted to know what you guys could help me with now that I’m 21. I’m seriously lost in life and if I don’t seek help now I doubt I’ll have a future.” He was encouraged to come to the office and re-enter FYI the same day. FYI helped him enroll in a program to finish his high school diploma so he can pursue a trade program at College of the Canyons (COC). He was paired with an Ally with whom he has grown very close, earned his driver’s license, and moved into safe and stable housing, all thanks to FYI!
Grateful for the support and direction he received, Jorge has been spreading the word about FYI. He recently referred two friends from a group home where he lived while in foster care. The first, Emilio,* was about to age out of the system and lose his housing stipend. Almost 21 years old, he had no hope for the future. He had previously enrolled in college in L.A. but never attended. He did not have his driver’s license and would become homeless when his monthly payments stopped. Jorge told Emilio about FYI and explained that he would have to live or attend school in Santa Clarita in order to qualify. So Emilio, who was still living in L.A., enrolled at COC, commuting by train to attend his classes. He joined FYI in July and was paired with a caring Ally. He participates in our “Ready, Set, Drive!” program to prepare for his driving test, and he just moved into a room that FYI helped him find!
In September, Gina received another text from Jorge. “Gina, sorry to bother you but I wanted to see if I can get an appointment with you on behalf of a friend. Leon* was in the same group home as me. He just got in a really rough situation and he really needs some help. He is a good kid and wants to succeed, I can promise you that. He is very smart and wants to make school a part of his life. He needs his HS diploma but I already enrolled him in school.”
When 20-year-old Leon came in for his intake meeting, we learned that he was in a Catch-22 situation. Due to a breakup with his girlfriend, he lost his housing and was sleeping in his car. Because he did not have a home that would pass the county requirements for the housing stipend, he was at risk of losing his monthly financial support. We also learned that he was not licensed to drive the car he was living in, so he was constantly in fear of being caught and losing the only roof he had over his head. One of our Allies gave him a temporary place to stay while FYI helped him find a room to rent, which he moved into last week! He was paired with his own Ally, who, after learning that Leon had never had a support system, responded, “Well, he does now!”
We are grateful that Jorge shared the hope he found in FYI. With their Allies alongside them and the FYI community surrounding them, Jorge, Emilio and Leon are on track for a successful future!
*Names changed to protect privacy.