Why Emily Kennedy is Sleeping Outside

Science shows that children who do well despite serious hardship have had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult.

Last year I had the chance to share my testimony of how God has used Youth Unlimited and other caring adults to support me during my years as a homeless teen. I am never going to stop sharing this good news, because that scientific fact has completely transformed my life and shaped my future.

My hope now is to be that caring adult in the lives of children and youth I encounter and to continue to support others who share the same hope.

Everyday this past month I’ve been pondering the impact of youth homelessness. Considering how it’s affected me and how it’s affected others that I know. Some of the people I’ve been thinking of are friends I’ve met in shelters and on the streets, others are strangers I’ve encountered in passing. Each individually valuable, each worthy of love and stability.

I think about how lucky I was to have been introduced to the people at Youth Unlimited and others along the way, that share the same heart. People who looked at me, a deeply hurting child trying to survive, and also saw potential, resilience, and hope.

I also think about the friends I’ve met along the journey who weren’t given the same opportunities and resources, maybe because they weren’t as accessible or they didn’t have anyone to tell them about these things. I think about how different things were for them.

In a society where many look down on unhoused people we can be different. We can choose to see the hope in all people in all places, to take steps to educate ourselves and others and support organizations and causes like YUnite outside. It’s an issue that’s easier to ignore than to acknowledge because of the pain and harsh realities that thousands of children and youth face daily but it’s important to continue to raise awareness.

That’s why I’m sleeping outside this year to raise awareness and funds for unhoused youth.