First I want to say a massive thank you. Without people like you there would be so many opportunities young people would miss out on.
My name is Mark and I am 17, I have been living at YMCA for about 3 months. I was kicked out of home when I was 16 and spent a few months sofa surfing with friends, I was incredibly lucky that I didn’t have to sleep rough. The relationship with my mum broke down beyond repair and I could not return home. I had to drop out of college as I had no way of getting there, with no income I could not afford transport.
I remember the day I was housed at YMCA, I went to the local council and they referred me to YMCA. I remember walking to the building thinking ‘if they don’t house me I don’t know what to do’. I walked in and all the staff were friendly and welcoming. I hadn’t eaten for a couple of days so during my interview the staff brought me food. An hour later I had somewhere to live; I had a roof and four walls.
Since living at YMCA all the staff have supported me to get my benefits and re-enrol to college so I can finish my computer science course. If it wasn’t for YMCA and people like you I wouldn’t be able to start turning my life around. The constant help and support from YMCA staff enables me to be independent and to make my own choices. No matter what mood I am in or what I have done I am always listened to; there is no judgement. I have never experienced this before, I feel cared for and have made lots of new friends, we are the YM family.
YMCA is my family now.
Thank you again,
Mark