![]() ![]() It is difficult for youth who face homelessness to re-assimilate into society. Homeless youths are often forced to exchange sex or deal drugs to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Saunders was just one out of the 1.3 million homeless youth which the National Runaway Switchboard estimates live unsupervised on the streets, in abandoned buildings, with friends or even strangers. ![]() I have literally seen kids outside the gates play with kids inside the gates like the boys in ‘The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.'" The shelters I have been in all had bars around them. That hindered my ability to experience the world or be free or even breathe. For Saunders, a severe lack of freedom and personal space were among her many challenges. Even when a young person is able to secure a spot at a shelter or youth program, there are many challenges they face. According to Yusef, however, these programs often do not have the space to accommodate all of the homeless youth living in New York. When youth are not able to acquire housing themselves and overstay their welcome at their friend's homes, they are forced to look for youth housing programs such as: transitional Independent living, which provides homeless youth ages 16-20 with longer-term shelter and support and crisis shelters, borough-based drop-in centers which provide youth up to the age of 24 with food, clothing and immediate shelter. I spent my life doing what I had to do to leave the shelter." I went to school and I did what I had to do. "I told myself one day I will leave my situation. Although she felt like her "education was delayed by constantly moving," Saunders was able to use her experience and talents to gain scholarships to assure that for the next four years, she has a place to call home. My mom made it hard for me to make friends or have an education." Saunders knew that her only hope would be getting into college. "My mom is abusive because she was severely abused in her life. For Alyssa Saunders, it was a combination of all three, specifically her mother's mental instability. They become displaced due to familial, residential or financial instability. Homeless youths face sexual and physical abuse, addiction or neglect. Homeless youths often leave their homes due to emotionally or physically unsafe homes. She can finally sleep certain of where she will lay her head the next day.Īccording to the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, five to seven percent of American youth face homelessness. Living in her college dormitory provides a serenity that has been foreign to her since birth. Being a freshman in college is a completely new and exciting experience for reasons other than independence or freedom. Icarus makes us ask ourselves what we would do with a chance to fly.įrom birth, Alyssa Saunders and her family of five moved from shelter to shelter. Just maybe, his flight was enough to give other prisoners on Crete the hope to escape. Maybe he did fall, but for a few moments, he was truly alive. The road to progress is paved by people who take risks. His flight was revolutionary and far beyond what was thought possible for humankind. He breached domain that was thought only to belong to the gods as he conquered the skies. Maybe he didn't touch the sun, but he got closer than any man ever had before. I don't think Icarus regretted flying too high. I want to love like Icarus loved the sun.įailure is not something to be feared. I imagine that as he fell from the sky, he could only stare longingly back at that ill fated star and admire its beauty. The sun was the only thing that existed for Icarus, and he had no desire for the rest of the world. To him, reaching the sun was worth any cost. ![]()
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