Joe’s Story

Joe comes to HOPE 4 Youth with a history of childhood trauma and violence. He spent most of his childhood with his mother in Chicago – never knowing his father who was incarcerated. Even though those days are long gone, he still remembers hearing gunshots ring out in the streets outside his bedroom window.

When Joe was a teenager he moved with family to Iowa and then to Minnesota in hopes of escaping his past. Joe felt that he had found a second chance. Not long after moving to Minnesota, he fell back to past behaviors and was struggling once again – hanging out with the wrong crowd and doing drugs. This increased tensions at home and he became at-risk of becoming homeless.

Joe came to HOPE 4 Youth for help with meeting his basic needs, finding housing, finishing school and securing employment.

Despite enduring the ups and downs that many homeless youth experience, Joe has achieved several of his goals. He has graduated with a diploma from high school and has found a place to call home – a safe and stable apartment. He continues to visit HOPE 4 Youth and is working with our Case Managers and Mentors to plan a path towards his goal of becoming a personal trainer.