We Have a Story: Karen

“Bikes, Youth on the Move”

One of the biggest barriers for our youth is transportation. Knocking down the barriers of unhoused youth who do not have an income or means to get to school is one of the highlights of what I get to do with our community’s youth. It may sound clichéish...yet it is my absolute truth: It is my privilege to serve our youth.

– Karen H., MSW, Case manager for unhoused minors and young adults, August 2023

“Carting it around”

I took this photo down the street from my home. Besides the obvious, that this cart housed someone’s private belongings, yet here they are, exposed, wet, and abandoned. What moved me the most were the toys that were saved, held onto, with the hope, I would imagine, of being played with again in a safe, warm home.

– Karen H., MSW, Karen H., MSW, Case manager for unhoused minors and young adults, August 2023

"Hope"

I’m a collector of memories. These are my daughters’ baby shoes. I took this photo thinking about the promise of growing up with an essential other; with love, warmth, and hope; of taking steps with the unconditional love of family. Our unhoused minor youth and young adults in our community do not have this essential want.

– Karen H., MSW, Karen H., MSW, Case manager for unhoused minors and young adults, August 2023

"The Office"

This is shot in my office. I meet with youth with intention. They do have remarkable resilience and grit. I am here to provide a safe place to build rapport and trust, and to help remove the barriers that keep our youth in survival mode. Some community leaders suggest there are no unhoused minor youth since they have parents and DHS. My office gives testimony that our community does have unhoused youth that need community support.

– Karen H., MSW, Karen H., MSW, Case manager for unhoused minors and young adults, August 2023