Homelessness Through the Eyes of a Child

Hey. My name is Alisa and I am 12 ½ years old and this is my story.

It all started when I was 11 years old. I lived in Modesto, California. My mom decided to move to Washington. I didn’t understand why but I was tired of seeing her hurt. I thought the bruises were normal. I was confused about why we had to leave and was also frustrated and sad to leave all my family and friends. I guess she had her reasons.

The bus drive on our way to Washington was very depressing. I had gum stuck on my shoes and shirt, my brother was crying the whole time and I was miserable.

When we got off the bus I didn’t know where I was, and again didn’t understand why we were here. It all felt like a bad dream. I was really mad at everything around me and was so sad and depressed, that I even thought of hurting myself.

Things changed when I got to Vision House. At first I felt that I didn’t fit in because everything and everyone was so nice and I felt that I didn’t belong. I was still missing home and didn’t know who I could trust. But still everyone was so welcoming but I still felt weird being in such a nice environment. But after a month or so I started feeling more comfortable with everything around me and our family was starting to become a family again. Life got even better when I made friends at Vision House and at school. I began to like school, I got really focused and even made the honor roll for the first time.

One of the many memories that I have about Vision House is when we didn’t have a car. Not having a car was horrible. We spent all our time on the bus and it was so hard to carry my little brother around. We would all come home tired and irritated. Then Vision House gave my mom a car!

We just got a new apartment and our time at Vision House is ending very soon and I will miss it. I have mixed feelings about leaving, both happy for our new apartment but yet still sad we have to leave everything. Vision House became my home and it was the place that my family became happy again.

I really think that there should be more Vision Houses built for people that don’t have the support system or have people to love them. I know how they feel because I was once in that the same situation.

Yes, Times are Tough. But there is Hope!

Times are tough, especially for mothers and their children who find themselves homeless because they’re escaping domestic violence, have lost a job, or have lost their home due to foreclosure or the inability to pay rent. However, Vision House makes a difference in the lives of homeless moms and kids – the difference between spending the night in a cold car or sleeping in a warm bed; between going hungry or having nutritious meals. Over the past 18 years, Vision House has helped more than 550 homeless women, children and men in south King County rebuild their lives. You can help! Make a contribution via PayPal on our secure website: http://www.nohomelesskids.org/, forward this blog to others and help get the word out to support homeless moms and kids.

I’m grateful for your support and belief in the Vision House. Together we’ll help homeless families rebuild their lives so they can achieve self sufficiency and a better way of life.