Nick’s Story
Life constantly felt like a struggle for Nick.*
“I hated myself for the longest time. When I was younger, I didn’t realize it. After I graduated from high school, it started to hit me more. I always struggled with doing something with myself—hating life, hating myself. I was pretty much doing nothing with my life, working some, smoking, doing drugs.”
“I live with a lot of regret. I find it tough to forgive myself and love myself. I care too much about what other people think.”
In 2019, he was interested in enlisting with the Navy and met with a Navy recruiter but says “I started doing drugs and stupid stuff. I screwed up.”
Nick attempted to live on his own. Yet trying to pay bills and rent was tough. So he decided to move from Wenatchee to live with a friend and his friend’s grandparents in Poulsbo.
After only about a month, he and his friend had an argument. And his friend’s grandparents asked him to leave. Nick found himself out on the streets. He had no plan or support.
After a night sleeping on the streets, Nick discovered the Coffee Oasis youth center and shelter. He went to the Poulsbo Oasis Youth Center, unsure of what to expect. While there, a staff member started talking with him and helped him get to our Bremerton shelter. Nick expected the shelter to be uncomfortable and was pleasantly surprised saying…
“The Coffee Oasis was actually really nice and comfortable and the staff were very helpful.”
Nick stayed at our shelter over the next couple of months and the shelter staff helped him navigate the challenges he was facing. He still wanted to go into the Navy, so the shelter case manager, Meliah, connected him with a Navy recruiter and helped him get his birth certificate and social security card. With the help of the shelter staff, Nick was able to reconnect with his dad and siblings. He was accepted into the Navy and is able to live with his dad until he leaves for bootcamp in June. Nick credits Meliah and the Coffee Oasis as the reason why he was able to get into the Navy and reconnect with his family saying…
“It’s because of Coffee Oasis that I am going in this direction.”
*youth’s name was changed to protect privacy.
Ensure youth like Nick have a place to find refuge, community, and housing by joining the Real Hope Club.
The Real Hope Club is a group of people who are committed monthly givers. By giving every month, you will provide youth with the consistent care they need. Your monthly gift will help provide housing, therapy, internships, and more for youth experiencing homelessness.
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