Mockingbird Times July 2017
SUCCESS AND SOLUTIONS!
System Reform
Jamie Thoburn
Youth experiencing homelessness often become discouraged in their search for solutions. After a month or two in severely uncomfortable and unsafe living situations, they often give up on finding help. When nothing changes, talking to case managers feels pointless. Their names sit on endless wait-lists,which can make them feel like no more than a number. The uncertainty homeless communities face causes people to lose patience in thewait for change. However, I’ve recently begun participating in a potential solution: The 100-Day Challenge.
Dear Friends and Allies,
As you will read in the pages that follow, these past few months have been an incredible time for the growth of youth leadership at The MockingbirdSociety (TMS). These are not just opportunities TMS has developed, but rather the result of our youthcolleagues taking the initiative and stepping up to take on leadership challenges. As I work alongside these incredible young people I can’t help but notice how differently they perceive the work in front of us.
System Reform
Sabian Hart
House Bill 1808 was a massive success for The Mockingbird Society in this year’s advocacy cycle. This bill creates a program that will contract with a private non-profit organization to pay for driver’s education, permits and licenses, fees, and insurance for foster youth between the ages of 15-21, along with help navigating the paperwork process.
YAEH
Sharliana Roberts
As youth homelessness in Washington rapidly increases, youth and young adults have an urgent need for emergency shelter beds, including CRC beds. What is a CRC? As defined by the Washington State Department of Social & Health Services, “Crisis Residential Centers (CRCs) are shortterm, semi-secure or secure facilities for runaway youth and adolescents in conflict with their families.” CRCs provide emergency resources, temporary residence, assessment, and referrals to services for youth ages 12 to 17. CRCs are used for housing foster and homeless youth, providing them a safe stable household for a short period of time.
Power of One
You see addicts everywhere. Some are very noticeable, their addictions visible to the common eye, and some are more hidden, living otherwise “normal” lives. But they all have a disease. Addicts do not choose to be addicts. In fact, many addicts are born with the disease. Sometimes it’s an active addiction and other times it remains dormant and doesn’t impact their lives at all. Every addict’s experience differs, as some people’s addiction ravages their whole lives and some are able to break free of their addictions.
Chapter Voices
“What is one thing you have accomplished so far this year?”
“I have become connected with my biological family on my mother’s side. I am doing well with seeing them.”— Everett Chapter Member Jazmyne Carlin
Art in Action
Angel Gardner
Mama Wants Success
I am balancing on a line in-between
what I need to be and whats expected of me,
calloused feet no match for