Zahda Hodges currently resides in Austin, Texas. She is a graduate of TNOYS’ Young Adult Leadership Council and is currently pursuing a career in real estate. With her experience working in customer service and fast-paced environments, she prides herself in her work.
Zahda recently worked with TNOYS on a blog post about her experience with homelessness, the support that could have helped her, and how she hopes her voice can make a difference for other young people in similar situations. Read her blog post below.
Trigger warning: the post contains references to domestic violence.
I grew up with a support system of family members, but that support system became short-lived as I grew older. My first interaction with the system was through a family member, my aunt on my mother’s side. She lived in public housing, and as a little girl, my mother would send me over there to spend time with her or to help her with my hair. Having that experience at such a young age, I really couldn’t fully understand the reality of what I was seeing due to growing up in a very sheltered environment. But I do remember how I felt unsafe. I remember one particular time at my aunt’s house when I heard gunshots in the air.
Now, to fast forward to my current journey, I am facing homelessness. At the beginning of my journey, I had to make an impulsive decision to save my life. While living in North Carolina, I had a younger adopted sister who was experiencing a domestic violence situation and she moved in with me because of that. Slowly but surely, my housing situation spiraled out of control. One day, the father of her child surprisingly showed up at my home, and he threatened both of our lives. So, I convinced her to leave the state for Texas as I was concerned about her safety. I initially stayed in a motel, but was soon placed in a shelter at LifeWorks.
This was when I learned about the definition of community through the support systems that were in place to help me. I started to receive wrap-around services from LifeWorks. I soon met my workforce case manager, my peer support specialist, and my therapist. My therapist, Michelle, created a safe space for me and helped me transition out of survival mode. My peer support specialist taught me a lot about life and my workforce manager, Kayli, taught me to have patience with myself and how to hold space to experience all my emotions. Additionally, the people at the shelter and all those I’m surrounded by have taught me that all people are worthy of love, regardless of the life choices they have made.
What is most needed for young adults who are experiencing homelessness is community. They need people in non-profit positions who are educated on how to help give them the skills they need to survive and cope with homelessness. There need to be more shelters built specifically for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Also, service providers need to learn more from young people who have experienced homelessness and have transitioned into adulthood. Service providers can help vulnerable young adults by offering housing and resource centers in communities in need, providing them with access to support.
The main reason I want to give back is due to my own experience dealing with homelessness. It makes me more passionate and aware of how much there is a need for young adults to receive assistance. One of the things I look forward to giving back to is hosting more drives or organized events where I can visit shelters to help. I would also like to have more opportunities to speak about my experience and act as a local advocate for homeless youth on panels at events with non-profits and service providers. I truly do believe this is a part of my life’s purpose. I have always had a love for humanity to give back because it is my duty to do so, as my mother would tell me.