Page 21 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

VOICES cont’d from page 20
Over time, I made a name for myself but I wanted something di erent. I had learned about various organizations that helped people get o the streets, but many of them felt very institutionalized and others still made me feel judged. I heard about VOICES Sonoma and as wary as I was, I took a chance and checked it out. It took me a while to trust the sta , but the fact that there were young people working there made me more interested in getting to know them. By the end of the rst year, I had developed relationships with the folks there and found myself feeling at home.
By the time I was 22, I had an apartment, was a full time student at Santa Rosa Junior College, and felt like I had an additional family. This family motivated me to do better with my life, and I developed a passion for the work they did there. I applied for the position, and was hired as a youth advocate.
In my time working at VOICES, I learned what it meant to be a leader, and to be able to speak for those who did not have the opportunity to speak up for themselves.
“The ones who are hardest to love, are the ones who need it most.”
These youth needed someone to stay in their corner, no matter how many times they pushed everyone away. These are my kids, and no matter how much they screw up, I still show up because that is what they need. They need someone who will not give up on them.
Working with youth is my passion, but so is the battle against homelessness, especially for our young people. Our youth are not meant to be on the streets, ghting for food, for shelter, for warmth. Even a short time on the streets leaves a lasting e ect on ones mentality.
I have not been homeless for ve years now, but I still think about the possibility of ending up there again. I am always mentally prepared for the, “what-ifs.”
Our young people need our support. They do not need to be in this position; going through the di culties that so many of us have gone through.
VOICES has made a di erence in my life and it has also given me the opportunity to make a di erence in the lives of other youth. They need us to speak up for them, and we need to show them that they matter.
VOICES Sonoma exists to provide a supportive, safe, and non-judgmental community where transition-aged youth from all systems of care can utilize peer-based resources, feel connected, and build a foundation for their futures.
More than 40 partnering agencies provide housing, education, employment and wellness services to transitioning youth, ages 16-24. Created and run by former foster youth, VOICES is the first organization of its kind in the nation.
Each year, we serve approximately 1,500 youth emancipating out of foster care, group homes, mental health, and probation. The services that we provide help these youth successfully transition into independent adulthood, while providing them with a loving community and place to call home.
Become part of the VOICES community by offering your time and your talents. Your contribution is critical to helping us continue to provide resources to foster youth.
HOUSING: We help youth to live on their own, assist them with housing placement, and make sure they continue on the path toward successful, independent living. VOICES has helped more than 80% of youth leaving foster care avoid homelessness.
WELLNESS: We provide a full range of health services that address mental, physical and spiritual wellness. In addition, VOICES o ers counseling, clinics, and workshops to promote healthy living.
EDUCATION: We o er academic coaching, tutoring, workshops, and nancial support so that youth have a future lled with possibilities. 80% of youth at VOICES have completed or are working toward their high school diploma or GED.
EMPLOYMENT: We guide youth through career exploration, help them prepare for employment, nd job placement, and provide them with tools to succeed in the workplace
Questions? Please call (707) 579-4327
or visit our website at: www.voicesyouthcenter.org 714 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
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