Kids with Drums
What can you really do for kids that live on the streets? Apparently giving them drums is a good start. Last week I volunteered at the “It Starts with You” art and performance show put on by homeless (and formerly homeless) youth on Chicago’s north side, organized by The Night Ministry. A lot of the kids were gay or transgender. For most of those, their sexuality was the reason why they could not stay at home. Most of them had had very intense things happen to them. Victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and neglect.This was one of the best pictures from the event but not the best. I am limited in what I can show because I dont want to risk treading on any toes. Some of these kids may not want to be found where they are.The DFCS side of me was in full alert that night. The kids who stay at those shelters have seen and experienced things that, in an ideal world, children should not have to deal with. Julie tells me that when children come to the shelters the workers who accept them have to forward their information on IL DCFS child abuse intake. Little is ever done. Very few cases are ever substantiated so no action is taken and few resources come down from the state for their support. Also, agencies are apparently not able to accept children on an overnight basis. So there are very few (if any) emergency and one night youth homeless shelters. The law says that they cant go to an adult one but the law does not provide an alternative. One of the girls at the performance read a poem about spending all night riding the El afraid that she would get beat or robbed or raped. Its not a friendly world out there if you are poor or gay or both.
ajdele
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