Dawn and Ryle

The first time I ever heard the term "families downsizing" was this past July during an interview with the Nevada Partnership Of Homeless Youth [http://nphy.org] (watch the interview here http://ustream.tv/recorded/1825341 ). Larry Lovelett, Homeless Youth Transition Specialist, said this was currently their biggest challenge. He explained that since Nevada has been hit hard by the failing economy, families are selling their large homes and moving into smaller, more affordable apartments. But to fit into these apartments? Well, many families have no choice but to make their older children move out.

The idea of downsizing families boggled my mind - I just didn't see how it was possible for a family to kick out one of their kids. But then I met Dawn and her son Ryle at a rotating shelter [http://mcrest.org] near Detroit, Michigan. Just two days before this interview, Dawns mom dropped her off at the shelter.

Nevada isn't the only community grappling with downsizing families. Last week, I interviewed Jack Gonzalez at the Los Angeles Youth Network [http://layn.org], who also talked about how these families are affecting his organization. (That interview can be found here http://ustream.tv/recorded/2737926)

It's incredibly sad the lengths some families must go to in order to survive during these rough economic times. Maybe your family will never be forced to "downsize" in order to stay housed, but I hope that Dawns story puts a face to this unfortunate phenomenon.

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• homeless
• poverty
• families
• youth
• invisiblepeople tv
• invisible people

[CraveJesuswhoisluv]

Whatever guy left her to be a single mother and homeless is pathetic. Jerk >:(

[BusyBeeCompany]

When theyre just kids the parents have a responsibility, they had them, thats part of the deal..if you cant handle it dont have kids...to drop your kid off so your boyfriend can move in is nothing short of sick...

[mookixox]

@CJordan1936 I'm pro choice too, It's called keeping your fucking legs shut so you don't get pregnant in the first place. Every baby deserves a chance to make something of themselves, even if you have to start in the gutters of shithole USA.

[curlew0609]

It is amazing to see so many young, single mothers in your videos, having children long before they were ready to taek care of them, often with no husband and the father of the baby long gone.  What future can these young women and their children have? The Tea Party needs to stop worrying about the 3% of the Planned Parenthook used for abortion and start supporting the 97% that goes to birth control and health care. Then, there would be fewer abortions. It's a win-win.

[chickenpax1]

u have to have dreams. ur dreams are ur biggest motivators.

[deliveryguyrx]

Where's the baby's father in all of this????

[tweetlebugzz]

apply for a job at walmart...they will hire you.

[CJordan1936]

@BusyBeeCompany That's why I'm pro abortion ( I don't use the term pro choice) it's because men make a babies and step over them like they had a bowel movement, the women who have them are labled as irresponsible; and the baby...well, the kid is just screwed because they have no conrol over who their parents are. think about it. What adult would want to be in that kid's situation.

[CraveJesuswhoisluv]

@kohler814 she didnt have a choice read the description she was in a family who had to downsize

[kohler814]

Awesome decision bum