These young adults in our community who are struggling with mental health, addiction, homelessness, and the opioid crisis want to be seen. They are in these specific locations in the community, but we often ignore them. Even when we see their pain and their struggle, we stigmatize them and make them invisible.
The Real Youth started as an initiative that became a nonprofit organization serving young people in our community who need help and compassion. We go to where they are. We are there to acknowledge them, show them care, and build relationships.
Every Friday after I leave my professional job, my mission changes. I start making phone calls to order tea and pizza and then we go to Riverside where we do our street outreach. The pizza and tea help create human connection. Everyone loves pizza, and tea is part of our culture. Tea is something that creates socialization.
When young people come, we greet them by name because we know them. We ask how they are doing. We check in if we haven't seen them in a while. Those small moments of connection build trust. Later, if they are ready to enter treatment or change their life, we can help connect them to the resources they need.
What we do shows them that there are community members who are not giving up on them. People who care about them.
I grew up spending time in refugee camps where my family sometimes did not have enough food, clothes, or shoes. Someone helped us in those moments. Because of that experience, I understand how important it is to extend a helping hand when someone is in need.
In our culture we did not even have enough language to talk about mental health. You were either considered crazy or not crazy. Part of our work is helping our community understand that addiction is a disease and that recovery and healing are possible.
Today people see the impact of this work. They see that we are helping people and connecting them to resources, and many now thank us and welcome us into the community.
The Real Youth started as an initiative that became a nonprofit organization serving young people in our community who need help and compassion. We go to where they are. We are there to acknowledge them, show them care, and build relationships.
Every Friday after I leave my professional job, my mission changes. I start making phone calls to order tea and pizza and then we go to Riverside where we do our street outreach. The pizza and tea help create human connection. Everyone loves pizza, and tea is part of our culture. Tea is something that creates socialization.
When young people come, we greet them by name because we know them. We ask how they are doing. We check in if we haven't seen them in a while. Those small moments of connection build trust. Later, if they are ready to enter treatment or change their life, we can help connect them to the resources they need.
What we do shows them that there are community members who are not giving up on them. People who care about them.
I grew up spending time in refugee camps where my family sometimes did not have enough food, clothes, or shoes. Someone helped us in those moments. Because of that experience, I understand how important it is to extend a helping hand when someone is in need.
In our culture we did not even have enough language to talk about mental health. You were either considered crazy or not crazy. Part of our work is helping our community understand that addiction is a disease and that recovery and healing are possible.
Today people see the impact of this work. They see that we are helping people and connecting them to resources, and many now thank us and welcome us into the community.