Breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty; Jenna’s story
Jenna was only 15 when she and her mother lost their housing. Jenna’s mom had struggled with addiction for as long as she can remember, and it wasn’t a surprise when they ended up with no place to live. From there, Jenna went to live with her boyfriend, and her mom disappeared into the streets of Peterborough.
Jenna came to YES
When Jenna’s relationship became abusive, she came to YES’ Emergency Shelter threatening suicide. Jenna was deeply traumatized by the last few years of her life, and had very little ability to self regulate. She was reacting intensely to even the smallest of life’s challenges. It was clear she was not ready to live on her own without support.
But within two months of living in shelter, a spot for Jenna in YES’ RISE Youth Housing Program became available to her.
The RISE Youth Housing Program
The RISE Youth Housing Program provides young people with a safe place to live, 24/7 staff support, social inclusion programming, intensive help with life skills development, as well as, food, clothing and transportation support. It is affordable, supported housing. It’s the way to help people find safety and begin to address some of the issues that caused their housing crisis.
Jenna’s worker, Jodi, helped her identify the skills she needed to work on. At first, Jenna would text Jodi regularly threatening suicide because of issues that to Jenna, seemed insurmountable. But after a few months of Jodi guiding her through those very hard feelings, Jenna was becoming a lot more emotionally stable, and confident in her ability to get through hard times. Within 8 months in the RISE Program, Jenna was both attending school and had a part-time job waiting tables at a restaurant downtown.
The RISE Program is effective and if it continues, can save many lives, and help decrease Peterborough’s homelessness population (significantly) over time. Currently though, the RISE Program depends entirely on community donations to operate.
When she thinks of her mom, especially in the winter, Jenna’s heart hurts. She goes to the police station regularly to check if her mom is still alive. It doesn’t seem like her mom is ever coming back from homelessness, and there is nothing Jenna can do about that. But she can feel proud that the cycle of intergenerational poverty and trauma is ending with her.
Jenna won’t be in the RISE Program forever. Now 18, she’s once again working towards her high school diploma, then hopes to go college, and then university. She’s living a stable life, and has gained the life-skills that her childhood denied her. She’s ready to embark on her 20s, and she knows that she can do anything from here.
Update on Jenna! As of December 2023:
A year later, a lot has happened in Jenna’s life.
Jenna finally received the dreaded phone call informing her that her mom had passed away. Before she started her grieving journey, she arranged all of her mom’s affairs.
This past September, she moved out of the RISE Program and into her own stable permanent housing with some support attached. In her new place, she promptly got 2 cats who she has purchased several Christmas presents for.
Jenna started taking French classes at Fleming this fall, and has applied to be a french exchange student in Quebec for 3 months. She has also started studying to be a flight attendant, so she can travel for a bit before she applies for nursing.
This is what a thriving young adult looks like! We are incredibly proud of Jenna and her ongoing accomplishments. YES BUD!!