ratherastory | What Do You Need?

This is a non-fandom post. I stole it from a friend of mine in a different place, because I think this is where the power of fandom can be harnessed for good. I've been feeling a little out of place and useless in the world lately, and this seems like a good way to get rid of that feeling.

Feel free to link this around, too, if you'd like. The more people see this, the more likely everyone will have a chance at getting what they need.

ETA: You don't have to be my LJ friend to participate. In fact, I highly encourage you to participate no matter what! Go ahead and ask for something. You never know what people might be able to provide.

What do you need? (Copied from a DW friend, so not in American, but you can Google translate. I like how it reads.)

(We can solve our own problems and help each other. Here's a spot to do so. Leaving it open...Non friends comments screened by default but I'll release them as soon as I see them.)

What do you need? Not what do you want? A million pounds, a fairy godmother, a nicer car.

But what do you need? A friend in Spain. Or Norfolk. A car that works, to get your kids to school. An old and unloved mp3 player that has been chewed by a cat but still works. A loan of fifty quid, for a week. Someone to trade emails with. People to visit your online shop. A hand-made card to make you feel loved. More friends on your journal. A copy of the Oxford English Dictionary, not too old. Advice on doing your own taxes. A loving but firm kick up the bum to get on with that project. Someone to talk lampwork / knitting / martial arts with. Clients to photograph in return for train fare or lunch. Help with your vet or medical bills, a dollar at a time. A used wheelchair. An unwanted bookcase. Reviews on Amazon. A cat-sitter. Reassurance because you're getting married / having a baby / getting your first job / struggling in college and need a pep-talk.

Sound off. Send people here.

ALSO? GO AHEAD AND FRIEND SOME FOLKS. Might as well frenzy a little bit too. Pleased to meet you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I need help researching homeless unaccompanied teenagers (kids who have left home due to abuse or have been kicked out of their homes for whatever reason) in suburban America for an original novel I want to write. I have statistics and some information on what happens to these kids, but what I really need are case studies about actual children living on their own and trying to stay in school. The research I've done so far indicates that CPS will not do anythig for these kids if they are at least 13 years old and there is no sexual abuse. Many suburban communities do not have any resources to help homeless unaccompanied minors, so even though the teachers and social service providers know the kids are out there, they can do nothing to help them. I'd love to talk to social workers who have experience with these kids.

I am a fairly dedicated researcher. My email is gestaltrose@gmail.com. I am not a social worker, my brother works for the social system in Oregon I can ask him if he has any knowledge of it. I would think it changes from state to state. Is there any state of states that you have in mind?

I think you are right and it probably changes from community to community as well. Some communities refuse to even acknowledge the problem because it's not good for their image. They don't want to admit to even a single homeless person living in the community. Some suburbs ship thier homeless populations to the cities where there are more shelters.

I'm not picky about where I get my information. If your brother knows of specific examples of homeless kids in Oregon, I'd love to hear their stories.

Thank you!!!

I work with Youth in Custody at a high school in our area. All of our students are wards of the state, and are either in foster care or group homes. These kids have case workers working with them, trackers working with them, and so forth. IF the state has found out that they are alone, they will be taken into custody and put in a foster home or group home system. Some of the kids that I work with are eighteen and about to graduate in a couple of months. They are technically aged out of the system, and it's the teacher for YIC that assigns "packets" of work for them that include getting bank accounts, finding an apartment, making menus for cooking on your own, and so forth. She's frequently the only one looking after these guys who literally have no one. I'm new on the job, and still learning the system, but if you have more questions, feel free to send me a message!

What Do You Need?

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