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Young And Homeless in Seattle
By Adam Richter
Nov 21, 2001 -- Life on the street came easy for Kim Clark. She first ran away from home when she was 15, living on the streets off and on for two and a half years."Everything just came so naturally to me--sleeping under a bridge, waking up with cops shining a light in my face," she said.
Like most homeless young people, Clark spent a lot of her time on Capitol Hill. That neighborhood, along with the University District, tends to have the highest concentrations of homeless youth in Seattle. How many of them sleep on the streets or in shelters any given night is impossible to say.
Conner-Bennett Sharpe with the City of Seattle's Human Services Division said the city does a one-night count of homeless people in downtown, the University District and parts of South Seattle and Capitol Hill every year. The most recent count found 50 homeless young people in the University District. More accurate figures than that, said Sharpe, are impossible.
"There is no way for us to count the actual number of homeless kids in the city," he said. Countywide, Sharpe estimated between 850-1000 homeless youth on any given night.
But walking down Broadway on Capitol Hill or the Ave in the University District, it's hard not to see them. While no hard data is available, most people interviewed for this story agreed that these two neighborhoods have the highest concentrations of homeless teens and young adults.
"That seems to be where young people will congregate because they're young neighborhoods," said Jordan Royer of Seattle's Strategic Planning Office.
They also have a reputation as tolerant neighborhoods, and therefore are perceived as more willing to accommodate street people. For some businesses on Broadway, however, the tolerance is wearing thin.
Street kids--bad for business?
Barry Rogale owns the Deluxe Bar & Grill on Broadway and is president of the Broadway Improvement Association. He said the aggressive panhandling by some young people is driving his customers away.
"My daytime traffic is way down," he said, because of the increased numbers of street youth on Broadway. It's hurting other businesses on the street as well, he said, and now Capitol Hill's main drag looks nothing like it used to.
"Broadway used to have a lot more pure retail," said Rogale.
Now, due in part to increasing numbers of street youth who aggressively panhandle and take over the sidewalks, fewer people are shopping on Broadway. Rogale doesn't blame them.
"You'll go elsewhere," he said, when public safety becomes an issue. And although aggressive panhandling is illegal according to the city's civility laws, Rogale said it's not enforced much outside of downtown Seattle.
"The civility laws are toothless in the neighborhoods," he said.
Clark admits that some of the young people on Broadway can cause problems. Those who do are usually transients--street youth who don't stay in one place at any one time. She also said she suspects an increase in drug activity on Broadway--especially in methamphetamines and heroin--contributes to the problem.
"I think it's a confluence of any number of things," said Rogale, that factor into why young people live on the streets in Capitol Hill. To solve such a multi-faceted problem, he said, it will take a multi-faceted solution.
On Capitol Hill, though, young homeless people are faced with fewer and fewer places to turn.
Dwindling Resources for the Young
On October 30 the Capitol Hill Youth Center, a drop-in center where homeless people could get a meal, shower, and have their basic needs met, closed its doors. Two emergency shelters, Teen Hope and Denny Place, provide a combined maximum of 21 beds for young homeless people. "There's really a lack of service out there for kids [ages] 18-24," said Elaine Simons, the executive director of Peace For the Streets By Kids For the Streets (PSKS), one Capitol Hill youth service center.
Her organization provides education and workshops for homeless youth, as well as some holistic medicine services. On Thursdays a licensed masseuse and an acupuncturist visit the center. Additionally, PSKS offers high-school completion and GED courses for young people.
Kim Clark volunteers at the center and is taking GED courses to get her high school diploma. She lives with her grandmother now, and said she might want to go into social work.
"I guess it was really time for me to quit playing and grow up a little bit," she said about her decision to stop living on the streets.
Not everyone who wants to quit can, though, and Royer said the city recognizes that the homeless in the 18-25 year old range are underserved. They're too old for youth shelters, but dislike the adult shelters as well.
Meanwhile, PSKS keeps busy with the services it can provide. According to Simons, 225 different youths used the center in the past year; roughly 30 show on up a regular basis. It's not straight charity, however, said Simons.
"We have certain kinds of expectations," she said. Anyone who uses the center cannot use drugs within a two-block radius, and they have to provide volunteer help in exchange for services. So far, she said, it's worked out well.
"The kids themselves self-govern it," she said.
The center has also maintained a good relationship with the police. Seattle Police Officer Kim Bogucki from the East Precinct's Community Policing Department met with some of the youths and liked what she saw.
"[The] kids for PSKS--they take a little more pride in their community and their area," she said.
There will always be bad factions of homeless youth--as there will be in any population group--but Bogucki said she learned that most of the homeless youths she met do not always want to be enabled and dependent.
"It comes down to the kids wanting to do stuff for themselves," she said.
Ultimately that may be the solution to getting young people off the streets. Everyone interviewed for this story agreed that no one solution will rid the streets of homeless youth. There are as many reasons for living on the street as there are young people who do it--and as mentioned before, no one knows how many that is. Clark said that even if all the right social programs existed, some will still fall through the cracks.
"There's always going to be that one person that likes drowning in their own misery," she said.
Part II of this story will focus on the University District's homeless youth, services and solutions.
Reader Comments
Discuss this article in the forums!
| Tamika Bonner | May 17, 2003 | Kirkland | prep cook |
| i think that if the people down there don't like the fact that these poor kids are panhandling, they should try to help by giving them jobs. don't they think that that would help and plus customers would think of them as generious people and they would have more customers | |||
| mike | Jul 01, 2003 | cap hill | pilot |
| I think those poor "kids" should move to Kirkland, they wont last a day there. But to be real about it, I 'd say close Broadway cheap fast foods that are feeding these unfortunate crazys. And put some reasonable bus routes, connecting the hill with Alki, Airport, Eastside. Not crack alleys of Pioneer Square, White Center and Rainer Valley. | |||
| Autumn | Jul 02, 2003 | Seattle | administration |
| Our society tends to hide our problems under the carpet, then rather confront them and deal with them in a postitive manner. Why are our shelters being shut down? We push the homeless off the streets, but yet we don't give them a place to rest their feet. Homelessness could happen to anyone in the wrong circumstances. We are all human and we all make mistakes, it's the support of other people thats helps us get on the right track. | |||
| Wenwood | Jul 03, 2003 | Del Rio,TX | insurance |
| I used to live i nSeattle on Beacon hill about 6months ago the real problem with homless teens and any person is that the change needs to come from with in some are leaving homes that are abusive mental and sexual. Programs need to be started in the school and hoods that will help identify these problems , restruct the police policy, social workers budgets need to be increased instide of the jails which if at fist there was more less money spent on the social envirment at first more jails would not be need , foster caregivers should be screened btter and checked better and monitored or made to take classes on how to deal with the hurte of there charges not only paid to gve room and board plus the community should look at themselve and pounder why and how this nation which could spend trillions on wars, goverments that have no true intreste besides monetary gains for big companys and political figure heads and do nothing for the neighborhoods nor states but complain about a couple of 100's grand or millions for your children your neigbors your americans they say support the troops why not support your children that you might see right there , or dwn town, or in Redmond, Renton up on Beacon Hill or across the USA in Virginia,New York, Kansas Its so easy thanking of a third would country where children are dying of hunger ,disease, but yet tha leader and it's political states men are liveing larg on the money congress, and you good individuals give them for there people yet where are are children not one child or adult in America should be starving or homless if so why let there be immagrants who pays fo there scholling medical care adaption in to the great American way we do te tax pyers yet congress cut benefits to the familys who helped make this nation what it is to the littlepeoplewho worked the land toiled in the factores billed the bombs laid down there lifeopen your is stop jt walking by seeing say it's not your fault yes Reagon then the Bushes cut taxs gave you a nice check but how long wil that last how long will your job be ther and yor son your daughter thank they will have it better keep looking away don't let are childrens future end up like Enrons | |||
| Unknown Girl | Sep 04, 2003 | U- District | |
| I'm not going to mention my name, but i have been homeless in the U-District for several years now, and I still am, but through observation, I have noticed that the newer aged homeless youth, the "newbys", are mostly children ages 12 to 16, and I have heard all of there stories about why they are homeless, and they all pretty much had the same story to tell. Its pretty much that Mommy and Daddy gave them a curfew, and if they didnt obey it, they would be grounded. So these little kids run away from home because now of days it so easy to be homeless. They feed you good meals everyday, they provide you a safe place to sleep, free clothes, UDYC offers a 4 hour service 4 days a week where you can come in, take a shower, make yourself a meal, hang out, listen to music, watch T.V. Teen Feed Provides Delicious foods 7 days a week, Shelters, and at night time Street Links will drop by and give out sandwhiches, soup, hot chocolate, sox, dog food, U prez drop in , free doctors, free dentists..etc...... Not that I dont appreciate the help, but the only people who can really use all these services are the little runaway kids. Its just to easy for them to runaway from home. I think they should open up something for the people ages 21-30. People who have real problems, and are constently struggling, trying to get a job, but they cant because they have no clothes, besides the filthy rags they are wearing, no food, no way to wake up in the morning to go to work, if they did get a job. Do you think somebody at age 25 can walk into a restaraunt smelling like garbage, wearing torn up stained smelly clothes, and ask for an application? Even if the restaurant or other business like that, gave then an application, just to humor themseves, what address can they put on it? what phone number can they give them? This is just my opiniun, and experience....think about it. | |||
| Alex | Sep 26, 2003 | Seattle | student |
| I am yet still a student, at 15 years old. My mom sent me away from home to go to Alaska. Sence 4th grade my step dad and I have faught. I've faced the problem for the past five years, it still has never changed. My step dad was abusive also, mentally, but also very angrey at me all the time. My mom was constantly putting me down, and I was always getting into trouble at school, with my idea of anarchy, maybe I don't know what I'm talking about sometimes, or what I belive just yet. All I know is I don't know what I'll be, but I know who I'll be. That's all that really matters. Now I live with my aunt and uncle, it's a good environment, but I have a problem with deppression, anxiety, drugs, friends, family, and next year I'll be homeless in Seattle. It's really my choice, either I stay here for four years, in Alaska, or I go to seattle in one year, where my friends are. My friends, we take care of one another, so when anything ever happens to us, we're there for one another. sometimes I choose my own adversity, but with the lack of peace and tranquility, I find my mind in a spiral, straight down in some sort of hell. Intwined with every emotion, I might be messed up, but I've already gotten all the help I can get, now I'm left with everything bottled inside me... I don't know what to do next year, I want an education, but I don't want a family anymore, my family is confusing... | |||
| june | Oct 08, 2003 | federal way | |
| what was the comment in regards to stay out of Kirkland? I was interested in finding out more. If you have income to spare on the extras in life then come to Kirkland, but if you are struggling, and do not have an abundance of "fun" extra spending then the message is to stay away. It seems to me that youth, whom do not have addational economic resources, are targeted by the Kirkland police in a negative way. I guess many of the Kirkland police are allowed to be judge & jury in inacting "no-tresspassing" orders. There does not seem to be a due process of law, and if one questions the authority; they are told this is right and legal without explanation of city ordances or WA. state law. Be careful young people in Kirkland, for it is possible that your civil rights are violated. Document what happens to you with dates and names. Stay calm and polite, but do question the authority, if things do not seem right. You live in a free country, so utilize your power. Young 18 year olds demonstrate your power to the "knuckle heads" in charge. OK, so they are not all "knuckle heads." Register to vote, and vote. Your vote does count. Change the power structrue of the high income in this country. Bush and his friends are cutting programs which may help meet your basic needs, and programs which assist you in obtaing some equality such as effective education. Rember, young people who you are makes a difference, so belive in that possibility. Peace & be happy, june :) | |||
| samrawit bekele | Feb 05, 2004 | 6727 r av seattle wa 98119 | |
| dont get drank and try to keep up with your job no mater what and help others who need help | |||
| Observer | Feb 19, 2004 | U-District | |
| hi, I'm commenting on the earlier comment from the homeless young lady. I just wanted to let people out there know that there is a program to help the over 18 homeless crowd in the U-District. Service Links for youth can help these young people get jobs, healthcare, a place to live, an education and other goals, if that's what they're looking for. Here's their number, you should call if you need/want help. 206-522-4366 | |||
| Rorrie | Mar 18, 2004 | Everett | school |
| I am doing a report on this sort of thing at school and I have been stranded on the streets of Seattle myself and Kirkland. It sucks it really does....I never ran away from home I just had no way to get back to it till the next day. Anyways, I am 15 and some people really don't know what its like for them. You can spare a bit of change. I will go and by burgers and such and hand them out to kids and the look on there face is something that makes you feel good as a person.....think about it people, someday it could be you. | |||
| Alisa | Mar 25, 2004 | Seattle | Student |
| Everybody should try to help homelessness. But some are scared them. You don't have to scared them. They are just people like us. Give them a chance. And also homeless people have to improve themself. Don't be lazy and don't be always drink alcohol. Find a job, when you found a job you will get a money. Then you'll have a house to sleep. You won't be homelessness any more. | |||
| sam bekele | Mar 25, 2004 | student | |
| stay away from drogs alcohol and other. | |||
| samrawit bekele | Apr 01, 2004 | seattle | |
| Doyou know what you are going to do with your life if your not homeless any more, think about it | |||
| liz | May 11, 2004 | everett WA | student |
| Hi, I'm liz, I'm a student in washington at Evergreen middle school, I'm homeless and I'm thirteen years of age I don't tell anyone that I'm homeless because it hurts when people ask me why I don't live with my parents my dad beat me since I was five years old and my mom would just sit there and let him beat up on me my dad is a really heavy drinker he also would put me don metally it hurt real bad and I tried to work it out with them but my dad is very nerow minded (if that happens to you get some help my dad lead me to go into amadice depression where I would get stoned or drunk to the point where I couldn't walk I couldn't think I don't know how I managed to keep breathing that made me hate myself because it hurt everyone I was around to see me like that so I started over dosing and slitting my wrists so i would just die and I wouldn't hurt anyone else.) In third grade I dropped out of school but my boyfriend convinced me to come back I still manage to stay in school and my principle pays for me to see a counselor at compass health. I use to live out side of Albertsons until my boyfreinds mom found me and told me to come live with them so I didn't get raped or involved into more drugs she was very supportive so was my boyfreind he went to jail trying to keep my parents from trying to hurt me more than they already have.I just moved in with my boyfriend two weeks ago but I've been homeless for six years. It's hard for me because my boyfreinds step dad is an abusive alcholic but he doesn't beat me he beats my boy freinds mom and sometimes my boy freind. | |||
| out of touch | May 14, 2004 | seattle | student |
| After reading all the above comments. I feel that i should say something that acknowleges them but dont know what. I guess i should just say i am out of touch with homelessness in seattle and after reading these comments i feel that people such as myself (out of touch with the homeless) will never be faced with these hard choices. Our wills and hearts will never be tested as much as some of those on the streets. Guess what i am saying is that I just dont think i could remain as moral or sain if i were on the streets. So i guess i am saying that the "out of touch" should be the ones looking up to the homeless sometimes. If we only knew about and internalized... | |||
| Alniesha Singleton | May 20, 2004 | Medford N.Y 11763 | School |
| I hate living in my house with my family. My mom keeps me home from school i have not been in school for about 2 months. But i hate that even though most kids don't like school i don't either but i know that i need to go.She does not send me because she need me 2 babysit, for her while she goes out to church, stupid thing's such as going 2 get her nails done or her hair.Iwant 2 runaway but i would rather live in a group home then in the street's or in my home. So please help me get out of this house,(im 15 i was left back twice because in the first grade i didn,t know how to read, and in the seventh grade becausei was never there 2 attend school.I need help i want help please help me? | |||
| Emily | May 27, 2004 | Seattle | |
| The girl who made a comment about how homeless people need to stop being lazy and just get a job. If only she knew what it's like to be homeless she never would of said that. It's hard to get a job when you don't have a place to live, nice clothes, or couldn't go to school. Don't forget how much easier it is for that girl with a home | |||
| Anonymous | Aug 23, 2004 | WA | |
| Hey i thought that i would just say something after ready all these letters i dont want to run away. i have everything packed i have a wonderful mom. but its my dad i hate him so much it hurts to hate him that much. I cant stand being around him and stuff. I have some money clothes and a really nice house. Just a messed up Dad. If there was somewhere for me to go so i didnt have to live on the streets then i would be gone. Im scared to leave and have to live on the streets. But if i have to then i will. Because no1 should have to go through what i am going through. | |||
| unknown | May 11, 2005 | Ft. Irwin, Ca. | |
| I was once classified as a homeless teen, not because I wanted to, but because of the series of unfortunate events that occured with my parents durring my childhood. I don't think that every story is the same. I do know that at the time I wish my mom would have never went to jail when I was 13, and my stepdad still offered to take care of me and my brothers after they split. Fom my experiences in a teen center, many of my friends who ranaway where abused either sexually or mentally and wanted to escape. Others had no family because the only family they had in the United States died. A young adosecent requires lots of guidence and security, the opportunity to learn what is right from wrong and the positives that are out there. Some people think most KIDS have a choice in what happens to them. Well they do, only after they are given the OPPORTUNITY. I didn't know about college, or rock climbing, etc. At 13 all I knew was sex and drugs. Luckaly I was given the opportunity, to see what the world had to offer, I then was able to make my own decision, and grow up semi-normal:) As far as homelessness in Adults well I don't know thier circumstances but, maybe they were never able to mature? Hopefully they learn what they need to learn to survive in this society. | |||
| kim | Nov 02, 2005 | st. neots | none |
| im 17 and i got kicked out 3 years ago and i was in a hostal and i got kicked out of there at the minete im homeless and i dont know what to do i have been staying with mates but now im no the streets my parents wont have me back at all i just dont know what to do i have no money and no food | |||
| Ariell | Nov 23, 2005 | Student | |
| I have never been abused mentaly, or Sexualy. I have a huge and wonderful family. So I can't say I know what your going through, about hatred in the family. But most of my friends I have had in my life as had problems like you . Where they are treated with no love , like they are nothing. When they are amazing. There are some homeless people that are homeless because they have been the victume of rape, abuse,..... and so on, in which I support leaving the house, but get help don't give up and just sit there. Go to shelters , go to the LDS church. if you have been raped or abuse go to the police!!! Put them behind bars. If they are into durg to the police. But Never EVER think you are worth nothing or that you are Alone. YOu are nether, I don't even know you but I know it. DO NOT GET INTO DRUGS I NO MATTER WHAT, they are horable and will not only KILL YOU but kill you life. If you ran away because your parents put up rules that you don't like, a time to be home , no drugs, family activites,.... then you so really see how blessed you really are and go back , your parents love you and want the best.You don't know how good you have it..... | |||
| dustin | Feb 25, 2006 | chicago | homeless |
| i hope one day our country will wake up and help its own people bush you suck.... stupid ass u should just quit and give someone els a shot at steeling oil u bastered | |||
| Elaine | Jun 03, 2006 | Seattle | Executive Director |
| I just read this article for the first time and it mentions PSKS and the homeless situation. Things have changed a lot since the article has been written. PSKS is now located at 1814 Summit Aveneu and has a full school program for kids who are homeless and non homeless. Its a great program and really gets kids back on track. Peace | |||
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