Will's Story

Hello.

My name is Will.

A dear friend of mine introduced me to Jackson Street. At school, she found me in the hallway, trying to hold back tears as I once again confided in her about the horrors of my situation at home. She had heard it all so many times, but never before had I been able to muster the courage to leave.

It was all too much to handle for anyone, let alone a 17 year-old.

I knew I couldn’t live like that anymore.

I deserved a normal existence, with friends, age-appropriate autonomy, and a place where I felt safe. She listened to me, consoled me, and told me we would be able to figure this out after school that day.

After school, my friend connected me with a place to stay for the night.

After a restless night, that same friend picked me up and we drove to Corvallis, to see if there was a bed available at Jackson Street. All I knew was that it was a place to live that would help me get to school each day, but I was apprehensive because I thought it was a stereotypical homeless shelter, and I would be the only kid there.

Upon arrival, all that changed, when I saw it was actually just a regular house, full of kids like me. It was all great, a bright spot on a dark day.

For the last two years of my life I have managed to prosper and flourish into the adult I wanted so desperately to be that morning.

I was able to have a safe place to go at the end of each day where I found support completing homework, setting and achieving goals, and forging positive peer relationships. My grades got a lot better, almost immediately.

Having staff there to encourage me made a difference. I also had an individual case manager who helped hold me accountable to my goals like managing my schedule, obtaining legal documents, and establishing connections at school. I joined the school newspaper, giving a latent passion for writing a place to thrive.

My desire to publish important stories that mattered to people led to me becoming editor-in-chief.

On my 18th birthday I moved into the transitional living program called Next Steps, taking the next step toward adulthood.

Being an adult is great, but it’s not always a cakewalk: Work, School, Cooking, Bike Repair, House and Yard Maintenance, Bills, Taxes, Life. At Next Steps, I was able to learn how to do all of that proficiently, with confidence, through case management, skills coaching, skills classes, and the guiding hand of staff. I graduated high school. I got my first long-term job, working with kids.

Next month, I will come to the end of my 18-month stay in Next Steps. I will be moving into my first apartment with my best friend, whom I met at Jackson Street.

With the funds I’ve been able to save, I will be able to cover the deposit, first month’s rent, and then some.

I’m looking forward to establishing my first home, a safe place to continue achieving my goals, like one day publishing my first novel.

My story isn't the only one like this.

There are so many runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth in our community.

Jackson Street is leading the charge to end that.

Thank you, Will. I could not have said it better myself.

Over the last 18 years, Jackson Street has focused on the critical, painful problem of youth homelessness. Because of the time and resources this community has provided, you, our supporters, have helped Jackson Street develop effective services that young people like Will need to end their homelessness forever.

As the leading regional experts for Runaway and Homeless Youth, Jackson Street needs your donations to continue this important work.

Together we can… 

Prevent youth from becoming homeless by identifying and working with families who are at risk of fracturing.

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Intervene early when youth do become homeless and work toward family reunification, when safe and appropriate.

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Ensure access to safe shelter and emergency services at Corvallis House and Albany House, offering a welcoming, supportive, non-judgmental environment where youth like Will can thrive.

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Ensure that we respond to the unique needs and circumstances of youth and young adults – needs that are significantly different from those of chronically homeless adults.

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Create services and housing options tailored to the situation of each individual youth, including education support and job-readiness coaching for future self-sufficiency.

Will, as you can tell, is an amazing youth, and I look forward to reading his first novel someday. Every youth and every story is unique and there isn’t one solution that is going to work for all. So to meet the physical, developmental, and social needs of each youth experiencing homelessness, Jackson Street is committed to designing and implementing a unified, collaborative community response and that includes supporters like you.

You are the reason Jackson Street has been able to help so many youth have the foundation they need to overcome obstacles and thrive as young adults.

Money is crucial to continue this important work, and your gift is an investment in the future of our community. Please give a thoughtful, generous donation today.

Thank you,

Ann P. Craig Executive Director P.S. From Will… “I ask you to give generously, open up your hearts—and your checkbooks—because every contribution you make gives another youth like me, with a dream, the chance to make it into a reality.”