The homeless are everywhere, in nearly every U.S. community, living with friends, family, or in shelters. But there's a different kind of need that's growing by the day. They're not kids, but they're not adults either; they're somewhere in between, and they're often called the "hidden homeless."
"It's not cold today, it's actually pretty nice, which is good on my behalf because I got a couple blocks to go," 20-year-old Aundrea said.
Aundrea is technically homeless, although she does have a place to sleep at night. Her boyfriend who'd been her main source of support is in jail, so for the past three months, she's been sleeping on a friend's couch until she can get back on her feet. It's called "couch surfing," and it's common for people her age who are in the same situation.
"I volunteered to do this and now I'm walking toward the bus station to go to GED orientation," Aundrea said.
Aundrea let us take a look into her life in a way we couldn't with our TV cameras. We gave her a hand-held FLIP camera and asked her to show us what a typical day is like.
"It sucks not having a car, not having rides everywhere, having to use the bus," she said.
Aundrea's first step toward independence is to get her GED, since she dropped out in eighth grade. She's on her way to orientation at Southeast Technical Institute.
"Now I'm on the bus and I have a dilemma," she said. "The bus that runs to STI for my orientation stops at 5:30 and I won't be done until 6:30."
She called a friend to come pick her up, but roadblocks like this happen all the time.
The second step to independence is working with Volunteers of America at the Bowden Youth Center to find a place to live. Nicole Burger with VOA met Aundrea last summer, as she was doing street outreach. The agency has worked with people just like Aundrea for years.
"The social support, the mental health support, chemical dependency support, connecting them with services, case management, hygiene supplies, food for a night or two," Burger said.
"Now I'm leaving the Bowden Youth Center, got some hygiene supplies, got some Ravioli, that's what's up! She helped me finish my IEP and that's where I'll be staying hopefully," Aundrea said.
She's applied to live at the Volunteers of America's independent living home, specifically for homeless youth and young adults, age 16 to 21. Residents can stay for a year, must pay rent, and while they're there, they learn life skills like how to open a checking account and do laundry.
Volunteers of America says it's hard to estimate how many young people are "couch surfing" in KELOLAND, but it's definitely grown since the recession. The young homeless don't want to go to shelters because they feel out of place with adults, but they often can't live at home, either because it's not safe or they're not welcome. They're the hidden homeless, and many don't realize there are services out there that can help.
"We can provide support, we can provide them opportunities, but it's also waiting for them to be ready," Burger said.
It took courage for Aundrea to take that first step, but now that she has, she realizes she wants more for her future.
"I want a good-paying job, my own place, possibly a family," Aundrea said. "I'd be happier."
© 2010 KELOLAND TV. All Rights Reserved.