Publisher's Synopsis
As an educator exploring America's most pressing issues, I set out to uncover the roots of homelessness. This book shares the stories of twenty individuals - from Baby who started smoking weed at age six to Steve who killed a man while high. Each heart-wrenching account reveals a childhood damaged by trauma, abuse, abandonment and instability. Whether placed in foster care, beaten by parents, molested by family or exiled for their sexual identity, these folks faced events that forever altered their path. As teens and adults, they turn to drugs, alcohol, crime and sex work in an effort to cope and survive. Across America, they drift between sleeping outside, in shelters and in jail - with no safe place to call home.
In Part Two, I examine the crises plaguing our nation that contribute to homelessness - unaffordable housing, teen pregnancy, the foster care system, mental illness and more. My goal is to put faces to this issue, highlight broken systems and spark solutions. The stories illuminate how early trauma fuels later addictions and misfortunes. While mistakes are made along the way, many homeless individuals are victims of childhood circumstances beyond their control. They deserve our empathy and support. I hope this book will challenge misconceptions, reshape policies and inspire more compassion. If we listen to those who understand this crisis best, we can build a society where everyone has the chance to thrive.
