Judy's a little older and a lot wiser after getting a taste of homelessness. And she's only 18.
"I was pretty rebellious. I was really into drugs, cocaine, ecstasy and I was drinking a lot and smoking pot," said Judy, describing her experiences. "I was just about to turn 17 and I left my mother's house to move in with a friend. "I didn't like following the rules. I was out late every night and we both thought it best that I move out."
Staying with a friend didn't last long and since then she has moved from group home to group home. Her list of residences includes the Youth Lodge in Ohsweken, a group home in Hamilton, the Youth Resource Centre (YRC) in Brantford, and a hotel with her boyfriend. Judy, whose full name isn't being used to protect her family's privacy, is back at the YRC now. She has been clean of drugs for eight months. She's going to school and, once she's completed the remaining six credits she needs for her diploma, Judy wants to go to college. She would like to become a child and youth worker.
On Wednesday, with the schools closed because of bad weather, Judy agreed to share some of her experiences of being homeless.
Youth homelessness week
It is Youth Homelessness Week in Brantford, and a series of
special events are taking place all week. Judy has already participated
in a march to bring attention to the issue and, on the funner side, went
mini putting.
"It's really hard," she said of being homeless. "I didn't have a stable home. I'm not living with my brother and sister. I'm used to having money in my pocket and now I don't have any." She felt like she was alone in the world and that no one loved her. "But there are people who care in the community, and you just have to ask for help and they'll be there for you."
The drug use was destroying her life. She shakes her head thinking about how much money was wasted getting wasted. She was spending $100 a week on drugs but Judy was able to get more for free because she became good friends with dealers.
She was able to stay with friends but that didn't do her much good. She had a place to stay alright, but more often than not, it was in a party place where people would be doing drugs all the time. But she and her boyfriend decided to quit for good, and she is now clear-eyed and clean of drugs. "I'm very proud of myself," she said. "It's tough to quit, especially when everyone else around you is still using. I had to change everything and I did." It wasn't easy. There was a lot of anger during the first month or so of sobriety and there was always the temptation to go back to using. But she and her boyfriend have supported each other. "We talk a lot. The talking is important," she said.
Judy has tried to move back home but mom has said no, and Judy has come to respect that decision. "I think that's fair. I made the decision to leave. It was my choice," Judy said. "Mom has some things to deal with right now, too. "She has two other children to take care of and she's working two jobs."
Judy is one of about 20 kids living at the YRC, which has been open since 2001. Formerly located on Queen Street, the YRC is now at 331 Dalhousie St., and is operated by St. Leonard's Community Services. More than 1,300 kids, some of them repeat visitors, have come through the YRC since it opened. Manager Sharon Walker said she has seen some changes over the past seven years.
"I think the kids that we're seeing now have more issues that they're dealing with," Walker said. Many are out of their home because of family conflict, they're battling depression and have substance abuse issues, she said. A lot of them are involved with more than one social service agency, including addictions and mental health, employment or some sort of educational program.
The move to Dalhousie Street was a good one because it gives the kids, most of whom are 16 and 17, an environment that is more like home, she said. "When we were at Queen Street there was more a dormitory feel to the YRC," Walker said. "This place feels more like home for these kids. "We saw that at Christmas when they decorated the home and we had a little bit of Christmas party."
"There are people who care in the community, and you just have to ask for help and they'll be there for you."
Vincent Ball
7 February 2008
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