I've been skydiving through life: coping with homelessness since 16 | Generation Homeless, Episode 3

CBC

18 Feb 202209:37

Summary

TLDRChristopher, a young man from Oshawa, shares his heartbreaking story of being kicked out of his foster home at 16 due to not being a 'ward of the court.' He describes his struggle with homelessness, the kindness of strangers, and the support he receives from his beloved dog, Casper. Despite facing numerous challenges, including addiction and a failed attempt to secure housing, Christopher remains determined to find stability and employment. His narrative highlights the harsh realities of life on the streets and the need for more compassionate and effective social services.

Takeaways

🏠 The individual had a positive experience with foster parents but was forced to leave at the age of 16 due to not being a 'ward of the court'.
💔 They felt abandoned and scared, with no support system or knowledge of what to do next, highlighting the challenges faced by youth aging out of foster care.
🐾 The person found solace and companionship in their dog, Casper, who has become their anchor and source of pride amidst their struggles.
🤝 They rely on the kindness and encouragement of strangers, which has been crucial in helping them endure difficult times.
🌃 The individual has been homeless on and off for eight years, facing judgment and disconnection from people who assume they are choosing this lifestyle.
🏢 They have faced systemic issues with social services, such as not being placed on the central housing waiting list despite being told they were.
🚫 There is a critique of the approach taken by 'Streets to Homes,' which seems to focus on providing temporary solutions like free needles rather than addressing the root causes of homelessness.
💼 The person desires employment to become a functional member of society and escape the cycle of homelessness, but has faced challenges in securing a job.
💔 They have experienced deep emotional pain, including the loss of a partner to suicide and feelings of worthlessness, which have contributed to their struggles with addiction.
🚫 The script reveals a lack of effective support and resources for individuals in similar situations, leading to a cycle of despair and difficulty in finding stability.
🔄 There is a strong motivation to change and improve the situation, with aspirations to help others in the future by becoming a harm reduction worker or a CAS worker.

Q & A

What was the reason Christopher was put into foster care?
-Christopher was put into foster care on a temporary care agreement due to his misbehavior and coming out as gay at the age of 10, which his parents were not happy with.
Why was Christopher kicked out of his foster home?
-Christopher was kicked out of his foster home on his 16th birthday because he was not a 'word of the court,' meaning he did not have permanent custody from CAS (Children's Aid Society).
How did Christopher's foster father help him before he was kicked out?
-Christopher's foster father did everything he could to keep him, even giving him 300 cash when he was kicked out, but CAS wouldn't make him a 'word of the court.'
What does being a 'word of the court' mean in the context of foster care?
-Being a 'word of the court' means that custody has been permanently given to CAS from the child's parents, which would have likely prevented Christopher from facing homelessness.
How long has Christopher been homeless?
-Christopher has been homeless off and on for eight years.
What role does Christopher's dog, Casper, play in his life?
-Casper is Christopher's anchor and source of pride, providing emotional support and companionship. Casper is also a conversation starter on the streets, helping Christopher connect with others.
How did Christopher's friend Amy help him when they moved to Toronto?
-Amy and Christopher moved to Toronto together with plans to get an apartment, but when it fell through, they ended up staying in the woods with a 'Dollarama safety blanket.'
What is Christopher's experience with the organization Streets to Homes?
-Christopher has been connected with Streets to Homes since he arrived at an encampment, but he feels they only offer temporary solutions like free needles and have not helped him get housed.
What is Christopher's view on the role of Streets to Homes in helping the homeless?
-Christopher believes Streets to Homes should be focused on helping people find homes rather than just providing temporary aid like free needles, which he feels contributes to a cycle of homelessness.
What does Christopher need to improve his situation?
-Christopher needs a stable job to occupy himself and avoid panhandling, as well as a permanent housing solution to break the cycle of homelessness.
What would Christopher like to do to help others if he can turn his life around?
-If Christopher can turn his life around, he would like to become a harm reduction worker or a CAS worker, providing the patience and support that he needed during his struggles.

Outlines

00:00

🏠 Struggles of Foster Care and Homelessness

Christopher shares his challenging journey, beginning with his time in foster care and the heartbreak of being kicked out on his 16th birthday due to not being a 'word of the court', which implies a lack of legal custody transfer. He recounts his fear and the initial $300 cash given by his foster dad, which was his only support as he entered a life of homelessness. Christopher's story is filled with resilience and the harsh reality of living on the streets, including the physical and emotional toll it takes, as well as the kindness of strangers that keeps him going. He also mentions his connection with Young Shepherd and the lack of support from organizations like Streets to Homes, which he feels have failed him by not providing adequate housing resources and only offering drug supplies. His hope for stability and a job to escape the cycle of panhandling is evident, as is his determination to not let his past define his future.

05:01

🐕‍🦺 The Role of Casper and the Fight Against Addiction

In this paragraph, Christopher highlights the importance of his dog, Casper, who has become his anchor amidst the turmoil of homelessness and the loss of his partner. Casper is portrayed as not just a pet, but a source of pride and a reason to keep going. Christopher also discusses his struggle with addiction, describing the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal, which he compares to starvation. He talks about his desire for a normal life, including work and walking his dog, and the challenges he faces in trying to secure employment. The paragraph also touches on his interactions with support services, his frustration with the lack of progress, and his commitment to overcoming his addiction. Christopher expresses a strong motivation to get stable and help others, envisioning a future where he could work in harm reduction or as a CAS worker, providing the patience and support that he himself needed during his difficult times.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Foster care

Foster care refers to a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a certified caregiver, referred to as a 'foster parent'. In the video's narrative, the protagonist was placed in foster care due to family issues and was kicked out on his 16th birthday, which led to his homelessness. This concept is central to understanding the struggles faced by the individual.

💡Homelessness

Homelessness is the condition of people without a regular residence, which includes living on the streets, in shelters, or in temporary accommodations. The video's main theme revolves around the protagonist's experience of being perpetually homeless, which has resulted from a series of unfortunate events starting with being kicked out of foster care.

💡Crown ward

A crown ward is a term used in some jurisdictions to describe a child who has been taken into the custody of the state. In the context of the video, not being a 'crown ward' meant that the protagonist did not have the legal status that could have potentially provided more stability and prevented homelessness.

💡Panhandling

Panhandling refers to the act of begging in public places. The protagonist mentions panhandling as a means to make money, which is a direct consequence of his homelessness and lack of other income sources. It illustrates the desperate measures he has to take to survive.

💡CAS (Children's Aid Society)

Children's Aid Society (CAS) is an organization that protects children from abuse and neglect. In the video, the protagonist discusses how CAS would not make him a 'word of the court', which likely refers to not granting him legal status or custody that could have offered more protection and support, leading to his current situation.

💡Word of the court

The term 'word of the court' is not a standard legal term but seems to refer to a legal decision or status granted by the court. In the script, it is mentioned that not being a 'word of the court' might have contributed to the protagonist's inability to secure housing and led to his homelessness.

💡Streets to Homes

Streets to Homes is likely a reference to a program or initiative aimed at providing housing and support to homeless individuals. The protagonist expresses frustration with the program for not providing adequate help or housing solutions, highlighting the systemic issues faced by homeless people.

💡Addiction

Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. The protagonist talks about his struggle with addiction, which is a significant aspect of his life and a major obstacle to his recovery and stability.

💡Overdose

An overdose occurs when a person consumes a lethal dose of a drug, leading to potential death or harm. The video mentions an overdose incident, emphasizing the severity of the protagonist's addiction and the risks associated with substance abuse.

💡Meth and Fentanyl

Methamphetamine (meth) and fentanyl are potent drugs that can lead to addiction and severe health consequences. The protagonist discusses his experiences with these drugs, illustrating the types of substances he has struggled with and their impact on his life.

💡Job

A job refers to a regular activity for which one is paid, typically at a fixed rate or on an hourly basis. The protagonist expresses a strong desire for a job to provide structure and income, which would help him escape homelessness and the cycle of addiction.

Highlights

Christopher was kicked out of his foster home on his 16th birthday due to not being a ward of the court.

He received 300 cash from his foster dad and felt scared and abandoned.

Christopher has been perpetually homeless since then, struggling with the harsh realities of life on the streets.

He finds support and a sense of community at Young Shepherd, where he panhandles and connects with caring people.

Casper, Christopher's dog, is his anchor and source of pride, providing emotional support and companionship.

Christopher's foster parents were supportive, but CAS (Children's Aid Society) did not grant him ward status.

Being a ward of the court would have provided Christopher with more stability and resources to avoid homelessness.

Christopher has been homeless on and off for eight years, facing judgment and misunderstanding from others.

He and his friend Amy tried to get an apartment but it fell through, leading to a period of living in the woods.

Streets to Home, an organization meant to help the homeless, has not been effective for Christopher.

Christopher feels that Streets to Home focuses too much on providing temporary solutions rather than long-term housing.

He has struggled with addiction and has had to quit drugs on his own, facing the physical and emotional challenges of withdrawal.

Christopher desires a stable job to provide structure and purpose, as well as to avoid the need for panhandling.

He has applied for jobs but has not received any callbacks, adding to his frustration and sense of hopelessness.

Christopher's partner committed suicide, and Casper, his dog, has been a crucial source of comfort during this time.

He has a strong motivation to get his life together and help others by becoming a harm reduction worker or a CAS worker.

Christopher reflects on the importance of patience and understanding when working with vulnerable populations.

He expresses a deep desire for change and a better future, hoping to turn his life around and make a difference.