“I’ve been in and out of the DYFS system and foster care since I was six months old. Most of my life I have been in some type of system, and I really want out of it all. I am 27 years old and haven’t been charge-free since I was 13 years old. I can only seem to last a month out on the streets. I’ve been told I have some mental health issues, because I have suicidal thoughts and have had these thoughts since 2008. Maybe it’s because of my upbringing.
“Growing up, I really didn’t have anyone in my life. My grandma and my mom were only around to collect welfare and child support checks. As soon as they received the checks, they’d disappear again until the checks came around again. I was bounced from house to house and family to family. I wish that one of those families took care of me. Instead, I was sexually assaulted when I was five years old. I still can’t get those images out of my mind, but by the grace of God, I’m still alive.
“I need help. I need a spiritual mentor because I feel lost. I need someone to help me along this journey. I’m trying to get myself onto the right path and I have the right mind to succeed, but I need some real support. I can’t do it alone. I need positive role models to help me through this – a mentor and father figure.”
Unidentified Male