Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Adam Navis.
Voice 2
And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Andrew was like many fifteen year old boys. Sometimes, he would argue with his mother. But for Andrew, these fights became very bad. At these times, Andrew would run away from home. Other times his mother would tell him to leave. Andrew spent a lot of time walking the streets. He began to stay with friends, or sleep in a car, or on the ground. Once in a while he would ask his mother if he could come home. Some times she said, "Yes." Some times she said, "No."
Voice 2
Andrew lived this way for two years. Then he called the police. He told them how his mother treated him. The police removed him from her care. They sent him to live with two other families. For a time, Andrew's life was good. He completed secondary school. Then he went to school to learn how to cook. After working as a cook for a while, he lost his job. He soon had no money, no job, and no place to live. He needed help. Then a friend told him about an organization called Urban Peak. He got involved in several of their programs. On Urban Peak's website, he says,
Voice 3
"Just because you are in a particular situation, you do not have to always be in that situation. You can change it. No matter how many times you fall, you can get back up again."
Voice 1
Today's Spotlight is on the organization Urban Peak. Urban Peak is an organization that teaches life-skills to homeless young people. These include getting a job, finding a place to live, and even believing in your self. It is called Urban Peak because it is located in the city of Denver in the United States. Denver is a large city. It is also surrounded by the tops of mountains, or peaks. So, the name describes the organization's location. The name Urban Peak also communicates another idea. Solving the problems of homelessness can feel like climbing a mountain.
Voice 2
There are around 1000 young people living on the streets of Denver. These people are between 18 and 25 years old. Many of these young people did not grow up in healthy homes. 65% have experienced some form of bad treatment, or abuse. It could have been physical abuse, sexual abuse, or mental abuse. Many of these young people do not know how to get even a low-paying job. And even if they could, these jobs would not pay enough for housing and food.
Voice 1
Without a place to live, it is very hard to get a job. To help in this process, Urban Peak operates a shelter which provides a warm, safe place to sleep. The shelter also provides food, clothing, basic medical care, and mental health testing. Lindsey is one girl who spent time at the shelter. She had moved around a lot. She also got into trouble because she could not control her anger. She says,
Voice 4
"Before coming to Urban Peak, I thought I had failed. I was never going to be successful in life. The shelter case managers helped me to think about the future. They helped me to believe in myself more. Now I know I can do it."
Voice 2
But Urban Peak is more than a place to stay. While staying at the shelter, Lindsey connected with the Education and Employment part of Urban Peak. She entered a program called Job Readiness Training. This program teaches young people how to get a job. Lindsey improved her computer skills. She also learned how to manage her anger. Urban Peak even owns several apartments, buildings with rooms for rent. Because of her hard work in the program, Lindsey was able to live in one of these apartments. She says,
Voice 4
"I do not involve myself in situations like I used to. I think forward to the future. I think about the results of my actions before I do them. I surround myself with healthy people."
Voice 1
In addition to providing a place to sleep and job skills, Urban Peak provides human services. Many homeless young people were never taught to manage their health. Some of the people who come to Urban Peak are sick mentally. Other people may have drug problems or are physically disabled. Or they may simply lack a support network, a group of friends and family to help them in times of trouble. Urban Peak tries to be this support network for these young adults. They try to help them identify their problems and get the help they need.
Voice 2
Urban Peak is helping a lot of people. In two thousand eight, they served over 20,000 meals. And the sleeping shelter was used over 10,000 times. They provided almost 200 young people with safe, independent housing. But these are just numbers. What do some of the young people have to say? One boy named Anton says:
Voice 5
"Before I was at Urban Peak I was struggling to survive with nothing. No future. Now, coming from the bottom, the only way to go is up. I am excited."
Voice 2
Another young person named Danny says:
Voice 6
"The people of Urban Peak got me off the streets. The shelter keeps me off the streets and away from drugs. I am getting my degree. I will go to college. And soon, I will have my own place to live. I am finally doing good."
Voice 1
And what about Andrew, the boy who ran away from home? He is working. He attends university to learn new cooking skills. He is meeting new people who share his love for cooking. His dream is to open his own restaurant. His attitude has changed. He now believes in himself. He says:
Voice 3
"If doors do not open for you, then you just build your own door. People are always saying, ‘I want to do that', or ‘I wish I could do that'. Instead of just saying ‘I am going to do it'."
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