Kurt's Story

"These kids, the only reason they're homeless is because they don't want to a.  follow their parents' rules  or b. get a job."
That statement is a common stereotype felt by many people in our community.
A goal of this blog is to present some experiences and stories from our work here at HOME that will lend a more complete picture of runaway and homeless teens in Salem.  We'll change names and sometimes other identifying features and try to put a few weeks or months' distance between the actual events and the blog.  Here's our first story:

Kurt (not his real name)first came to HOME in the spring and only visited once.  However, Kurt’s circumstances soon changed and he became homeless.   He moved in with another family that was already stretched thin, trying to make ends meet.  After a few weeks Kurt became a burden to the new family and was given less than a week to begin helping out or he would need to leave.   Kurt had nowhere else to go and was a teen without any kind of identification or means to obtain them.

He began coming more to HOME, having meals there and picking up clothing and toiletries.  Working with our Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY)staff, Kurt obtained food stamps and went on the Oregon Health Plan.  

The school district’s Homeless Education Program assisted him with obtaining his social security card and birth certificate.   Our RHY staff then helped Kurt through the complicated steps at the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain an Oregon ID card.  Armed with these necessary identification pieces, he is now applying for jobs.  The food stamps have enabled him to remain with the same family, in a safe living situation and contribute to the household.  Kurt continues to come to HOME for meals, to meet with his case managers, attend school and to enjoy normal teen activities.