At just 17, Michael found himself without a stable home. After years of family turmoil, an explosive argument led him to leave, seeking refuge with a close friend. “It wasn’t even something I thought could happen.” Michael recalls.
The next day, he and his friend went to the police, hoping to find a path forward. But since Michael wasn’t legally an adult yet, his options were limited. The police advised that Michael get permission from his family to stay with his friend rather than return home. What started as an uncertain and painful moment became a turning point that redefined his sense of family and home.
Michael didn’t initially seek out Waypoint—Waypoint found him. After his parents informed the school that he was no longer living with them, school staff followed protocol and connected him with Waypoint. That’s when he met Mandy, a Waypoint social worker, who helped him navigate his situation and understand the resources available to him. At first, Michael was hesitant to accept help, taking pride in being self-sufficient. “It’s hard when you’re a kid and you’re like, ah I don’t need help, but lowkey you need it,” he admitted.
Through Waypoint, Michael received weekly case management support and was able to take driver’s ed with financial assistance – an opportunity that changed his life. He also got a job working at McDonald’s, while preparing for his next steps, with Mandy even accompanying him on a college tour. Though he was building stability, the uncertainty of his situation weighed heavily on him. Until he turned 18, he lived with the constant fear that his family could demand his return at any moment— an anxiety that made it difficult to focus, sleep, or feel secure. While he was grateful to have a safe place to land, the emotional toll of that fear lingered.
Michael was fortunate to have a strong support network, including lifelong friends who helped him navigate sudden independence. Among them is his friend Cammie and her family, who took him in without hesitation. Waypoint provided support to Michael’s host family and helped Michael plan for his long-term stability.
One of the most memorable things Waypoint provided was a simple backpack that he still has to this day. “It had basic hygiene items I could actually use,” he recalls. Though it seemed small at the time, it eased his daily stress. “Looking back, it was things like that from Waypoint that got me through. I didn’t have to worry every single day about how I was going to afford deodorant on a $7.85-an-hour job.” Those little things allowed him to focus on school and work without the constant worry of meeting his basic needs.
For youth experiencing homelessness, it’s often the small, everyday necessities that make the biggest difference. “Little stuff goes a long way,” Michael explains. Many young people are hesitant to ask for help, whether out of pride, fear, or uncertainty. But having consistent access to basic needs like food, shelter, safety, and even prescriptions can alleviate stress, allowing young people to focus on their future and not just moment-to-moment survival.
If Michael could go back in a time machine and reassure his younger self, he’d say, “It’s gonna work out. It’s a big deal right now, and it’s going to be a part of who you are, but it’s not going to destroy your future.” Today, Michael works in logistics at Lonza, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in New Hampshire. He lives with his fiancée and one of his best friends and has found the stability he once only hoped for. His journey wasn’t easy, but it proves that even in the most challenging circumstances, a future full of possibility is still within reach.
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