24 Jun 2020
There is no One True Face of Youth Homelessness…

There is no One True Face of Youth Homelessness…

Michael was adopted internationally at age three along with his sister. Once in the United States, there was a clear divide between the attention his sister received and what he received from his family. Michael was severely abused by his mother and given age-inappropriate house chores, while his sister was spoiled and well cared for. As a preteen, Michael was sent from New York to a religious boarding school here in Missouri, while his sister remained in the home. When he turned 18, he asked his parents if he could come home to New York. Not only was he told…
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10 Jun 2020
Rare Breed Youth Services Success!

Rare Breed Youth Services Success!

When I first came to Rare Breed, I tagged along with a friend who was dating a Rare Breed youth. I did not need Rare Breed services, but I quickly found friends, and became a “Breed Kid” myself. My dad would drop me off at Rare Breed and pick me up on his way home from work. Being a rural kid, I did not have much to do during the day, so many of my friendships were from here. I went to every “Life Skills” class and involved myself in every group. Face painting at Neighborhood Night Out, and back-to-school…
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19 Nov 2019

Housing is the Key

When Mercedez came into the Rapid Rehousing Families program through The Kitchen, Inc., she was fighting a meth addiction. After almost a year with the addiction, while still in the program, she had her children removed from her home and became involved in rehab and drug court. For Mercedez, that was the incentive and support she needed to get completely off of drugs.  She began working the program designed for her through the Division of Family Services and the court system to get her children back in the home. Also, during that time Mercedez got a part time job, and…
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