KIC-IT provides love and care for homeless youth

Because a couch is not a home

*Names of homeless youth have been changed.

By Katelyn Bausman

Photographer / Jessica Limeberry of Lemongrass Photography

Sexually abused at 5 years old, Sara and her drug addict mother moved more than 40 times in seven years. Once they lived on a campground for three months. Eventually while living in an apartment, the police showed up during a party her mom threw for five days. “As it turned out, my mom’s boyfriend had been running a meth lab out of our laundry room. My mom went to prison for 19 months.”

Derek says, “People were coming and going from our house frequently,” buying drugs from his dad who was abusing drugs along with his mom. Soon the water and electricity were shut off, the family lost their car, and the family was evicted. His parents divorced, and now they all live with different people. Derek says he has gone through a long period of severe depression and nearly committed suicide.

Brittney will never forget the day her very abusive dad “made me watch while he shook my baby sister repeatedly until her little body went limp.” Brittney was placed in foster care but wanted to run away all the time. “I got into a lot of fights, abused drugs and started cutting myself.” Eventually she was arrested. This allowed her to receive psychiatric counseling. Since being out of treatment, she’s bounced around from place to place without a stable home.

These are just some of the heartbreaking stories of homeless and at-risk youth helped by the Kids In Crisis – Intervention Team, known as KIC-IT, in Franklin. Pronounced “kick it,” the organization supports the estimated 150 homeless youth in Johnson County through a network of support and empowerment to break the cycle of homelessness and promote independence.

Youth homelessness in Johnson County is a problem of which many are unaware. “People are often surprised to learn there are homeless youth in our area because it’s something you don’t see,” says Board President Debbie Burton. “It’s not like downtown Indianapolis where you see people standing on the corner with cardboard signs.”

With no official homeless shelter in Johnson County, this hidden segment of society crashes on friends’ couches, lives out of cars or walks the streets all night. KIC-IT’s slogan, “Because a couch is not a home,” speaks to the definition of homelessness: the lack of a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence (e.g., sleeping on a friend’s couch or in cars, tents, public spaces, abandoned buildings, shelters).

Sad reality for homeless youth

Like Sara’s, Derek’s and Brittney’s stories, most homeless youth have faced a lifetime of transience and instability and are longing for a place to call home. Many have moved countless times in their young lives, some as many as 80 times. Large percentages have been victims of child abuse and neglect, having experienced severe pain and trauma. Oftentimes extreme family conflict or parental substance abuse is an issue.

Life has proved to them that they cannot count on anyone or anything. They often feel isolated and alone, as if no one understands them. With no one to turn to, they battle unimaginable depression, anxiety and fear. Worrying about where their next meal will come from is a way of life. Because they battle a number of stressors, they are highly likely to engage in substance abuse as a means of self-medication. Understandably, they struggle in school and have difficulty keeping a job.

Sadly, a common misperception about youth on the streets is they are rebellious or enjoy it, but that’s far from the truth. Usually it is their only choice.

“We all get to go home, open our cabinets to food, sleep in our beds and know that we’re in the comfort of our safe homes,” Burton says. “But these youth don’t have a home. It’s sad. It hurts because you just want to be able to help each one, change their lives, and give them guidance and hope.”

How KIC-IT cares

KIC-IT supports this vulnerable and oftentimes overlooked population of 16- to 25-year-olds through its drop-in center, providing hot meals and essential supplies for survival (e.g., clothing, food, bedding, hygiene products). The center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 41 W. Monroe St. in Franklin, across from the Johnson County Courthouse.

The center is a comfortable place to study, search for employment opportunities online, and connect with volunteer life coaches and other community organizations that can provide resources, support and guidance.

The center is the closest thing to home the youth may have. “Each one becomes part of your family,” Burton says. “They’re not a number to me. I want to help them, encourage them and give them hope. I think they feel that care [at the center]. They feel comfortable, and that’s exactly how I want them to feel.”

Homeless youth need someone in their corner, encouraging their dreams and goals. Burton says it is so important to be a constant in each young person’s life. “They’re so used to being let down by other people, but they know that we’re here for them. I want them to break the cycle and have more in life because they are capable of it and deserve it.”

The KIC-IT Outreach Program utilizes a van to take essential survival resources to youth who cannot get to the center and provides transportation support for those who need a ride to the center, job interviews or social service agencies.

KIC-IT distributes material on its programs and services to area school counselors and nonprofit agencies, so young people can contact the organization discreetly using the Crisis Line, 317-412-4973.

Helping a community in need

KIC-IT began as the realization of a gap in services for homeless youth. As an at-risk counselor at Franklin High School, KIC-IT’s founding president Oscar Yturriaga heard from students repeatedly, “Where do I go? What do I do? I’m homeless. I’ve gone through all my friends and family.” Necessary resources simply were not available.

With that, KIC-IT was launched. Members of KIC-IT began meeting in the fall of 2009, and two years later the drop-in center opened its doors. Soon volunteers expanded the services to include outreach and life coaching.

Burton became a volunteer after she lost her job in 2010. “[Homelessness] can happen to anyone, and I realized that could be me needing help. It disturbed me that there is such a growing need for homeless youth in our area.”

Her role grew over the years from volunteering at the center to overseeing it and then joining the board. Last July, Yturriaga moved out of state. That’s when Burton stepped up. “I see a hurting youth,” she says. “When you see a need, you act on it. The change starts with me stepping up to the plate and helping.”

KIC-IT has several people stepping up to help; the organization is entirely volunteer-run. Burton and Board Vice President Kim Sharp are aided by eight fellow board members: John Calloway, Gene Feasel, Kara Larkin, Jill Overton, Jonalyn Palmer, Dr. Dave Sever, Kimberly Spurling and Allen Whitehurst. The team is made up of pastors, school administrators, homemakers and those involved in victim advocacy and social work.

“What I really love about the board is we’ve all come together to help,” Burton says. “We’re all a team. Each person contributes something.” All members work at the drop-in center at least once a month, in addition to helping with fundraising, outreach and raising awareness. KIC-IT also collaborates with several area schools, churches, social service agencies and community members.

Donations are vital

Burton says everything KIC-IT offers to the youth is donated, from food and clothing to hygiene products and bus tickets. To raise money, the organization has several fundraising events throughout the year, including a 5K run/walk this month (see sidebar). KIC-IT was a benefactor at last month’s Corporate Cup Challenge and receives grant funding as well.

You can help break the cycle of youth homelessness by volunteering for KIC-IT. Donations are always appreciated; 98 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to help homeless youth in Johnson County. You can also donate essential resources or services (see sidebar).

Burton says KIC-IT hopes to offer some form of shelter or transitional housing for youth soon in addition to the drop-in center. The organization is looking for a permanent home instead of continuing to lease.

“I really feel like the Lord has His hands on KIC-IT and is blessing it, like we’re doing something right,” Burton says. “But we have to be more than what we are. We have to go deeper, not just put a Band-Aid on the problem. We have to get to the root issues that these youth are facing and help them heal from the inside out. These youth are really struggling, and we might be their last hope.”

Alex, a KIC-IT youth, says, “I just want to finish school and then join the Army. I want to do something with my life.” No young person should have to be homeless in our community. Now that you know, what will you do?

For more information, visit kic-it.org or call 317-412-4973.