Bill Wilson Center - Building Dreams 2011

In our latest Building Dreams video, we look at the success of three current and former clients who share what it is like being a homeless teen.

* Mariah, a single-mother now living in our Transitional Housing Program, shares her experience of living on the streets in San Jose and what it means to now have a safe place to raise her daughter. Mariah was also a foster youth who spent time living in group homes; she describes the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that many foster youth experience. With the help of Bill Wilson Center, Mariah is now living in her own apartment and is attending college full-time with hopes of one day becoming a lawyer.

* Tricia describes being raised by an addicted mother and what it was like to never have a place to call home. With no support system and a severely strained relationship with her mother, Tricia found herself struggling with depression, cutting and an eating disorder. She tried to numb the pain by using drugs and alcohol, until she finally decided to get help. Tricia found her way to our Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter and found a safe place to work through her problems.

* John, who is now employed by Bill Wilson Center as a Peer Mentor, shares what his life was like being raised as a foster youth. Though he was placed with family members over the years, he struggled with feeling unwanted and unloved. After spending a number of years living on the streets after emancipating from the system at age 18, John became a father. His son soon became his reason for getting his life on the right track.

About Bill Wilson Center:
Founded in 1973, Bill Wilson Center is a nonprofit community-based organization serving over 10,000 clients in Santa Clara County annually. It is the mission of Bill Wilson Center to support and strengthen the community by serving youth and families through counseling, housing, education, and advocacy. With an emphasis on youth development, Bill Wilson Center programs focus on building self-confidence and developing personal assets. With these tools, youth can permanently change the direction of their lives. For more information on Bill Wilson Center, please call (408) 243-0222 or visit www.billwilsoncenter.org.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• bill wilson center
• homeless youth
• inspirational
• drop-in center
• transitional housing
• building dreams
• emancipation

[vpayne408]

It is very unfortunate that someone would find it necessary to comment on disliking these young adult's experiences. Thank you to the young adult's in this clip for being brave enough to share their personal stories with the rest of us.

[nickl82886]

I dislike these kids' stories, however, I love the cause. Keep up the fantastic work Bill Wilson Center, your organization and theindividuals you assist will one day change the world.