KEYA
After connecting with my
“I AM NOW” mentor, we
created a plan for my success.
After connecting with my
“I AM NOW” mentor, we
created a plan for my success.
DRE
I can credit my "I AM NOW"
mentor with...helping me
locate my birth family.
I can credit my "I AM NOW"
mentor with...helping me
locate my birth family.
I AM NOW, INC.
JAMES (RESIDENT)
Graduated Culinary Arts School
Employed Full-Time
Meet James V, he is 19 and one of "Crossroads" first
residents. James V. feels really good about being in the
program because he feels that Mr Burrell has been in his
shoes and knows what it feels like to to be where he is
NOW. James future seems bright but it like to to be where
he is NOW. James future seems bright but it wasn't always
that way. Before coming to Crossroads, James spent
several years in 2 Guilford County Foster Care homes
and 3 Group homes. During his journey to "Crossroads",
James spent several nights without traditional shelter.
One night James walked from Greensboro from
High Point to a friends house and slept in a shed
because it was too late to wake them. At other times
he slept under a bridge and a bus for shelter during
the night, but James life began to look up when his long
time friend from a previous group home referred him to I
AM NOW. James feels Crossroads is like home, he cares
for it as his own and is confident and secure about his
future. Life has certainly given James lemons, but he has
kept a joyful spirit and makes lemonade for everyone who
comes in contact with him, his Spirit of Laughter is
intoxicating. Like one who brings Life to every party, so is
James to "Crossroads", although James hopes to pursue
a career in Automotive Technology, a career in Acting
and/or Comedy is not far fetched. Look for James on a
stage and screen near you!stage and screen near you!
JAMES (RESIDENT)
Graduated High School in June and will be
attending Livingston College in Salisbury, NC.
placed in the Social Services system, instead he found
himself, placed in the Social Services system, instead he
found himself, along with his other siblings, raising
themselves after their father died and their
stepmother was forced to find work in another
county. James K and his siblings found themselves alone
with no parental support until a young lady heard Mr.
Burrell on the radio speaking about the "Crossroads"
program. James K found help and support in this young
lady and was soon referred to "Crossroads". James K.
says NOW he has "No Worries". He is doing well in
school and hopes to fulfill a dream by attending
Wake Forest University for a degree in Computer
Engineering & Architecture.Architecture.
KEYA'S STORY (Non-Resident)
Has her own apartment
Full Time Employee
I was placed in foster care at age 15. Counting all of the
group homes, foster homes, temporary / emergency
placements and respite homes, I changed placements 16
different times. I didn't’t always do the right things and
made poor choices like most teenagers do. I changed
schools several times due to moving around so much and
eventually just stopped going at all. I was angry and
confused and couldn’t wait to be done with the system. It
was not until I turned 18 that I realized all that I would be
missing once I was out of the system. No more clothing
checks, shelter, foster parents, social workers to call, 3
meals a day, money, transportation or any other social
service safety nets I had grown to depend on. I was
grown and on my own with nowhere to go, no money and
no food. For 2 months after aging out, I slept on a friend’
s couch with 2 other adults. Many days I went without
food. But, although I didn't have a plan, God had a plan.
After connecting with my “I AM NOW” mentor, we created
a plan for my success. I now have a fully furnished
apartment, a bank account and FAITH, that I can make it.
We have developed a close bond and I can call her when
I’m trying to make a tough decision or just need someone
to talk to. My next goal is to return to night school to get
my GED. I don’t know what I would have done or where I
would be if she had not come into my life when I needed
someone to care and guide me. ~Keya
DRE'S STORY
I was born in Miami, FL., but became a foster child in
North Carolina after moving to the area with my Mother at
age 8. Although I spent 10 years in Foster and group
homes, I never formed relationship with those families that
would continue after I aged out of the system. I had lost
total contact with my birth family and felt like I was alone
on this earth. Although there are several things I can
credit my “I AM NOW” mentor with, the most important
would be her assistance in helping me locate my birth
family in Miami, FL. After many Internet searches and
writing letters, I was able to locate several family members
in Florida and New York. Because she took the time to
help me, I currently live in Hinesville, GA with my brother.
~Dre
Graduated Culinary Arts School
Employed Full-Time
Meet James V, he is 19 and one of "Crossroads" first
residents. James V. feels really good about being in the
program because he feels that Mr Burrell has been in his
shoes and knows what it feels like to to be where he is
NOW. James future seems bright but it like to to be where
he is NOW. James future seems bright but it wasn't always
that way. Before coming to Crossroads, James spent
several years in 2 Guilford County Foster Care homes
and 3 Group homes. During his journey to "Crossroads",
James spent several nights without traditional shelter.
One night James walked from Greensboro from
High Point to a friends house and slept in a shed
because it was too late to wake them. At other times
he slept under a bridge and a bus for shelter during
the night, but James life began to look up when his long
time friend from a previous group home referred him to I
AM NOW. James feels Crossroads is like home, he cares
for it as his own and is confident and secure about his
future. Life has certainly given James lemons, but he has
kept a joyful spirit and makes lemonade for everyone who
comes in contact with him, his Spirit of Laughter is
intoxicating. Like one who brings Life to every party, so is
James to "Crossroads", although James hopes to pursue
a career in Automotive Technology, a career in Acting
and/or Comedy is not far fetched. Look for James on a
stage and screen near you!stage and screen near you!
JAMES (RESIDENT)
Graduated High School in June and will be
attending Livingston College in Salisbury, NC.
placed in the Social Services system, instead he found
himself, placed in the Social Services system, instead he
found himself, along with his other siblings, raising
themselves after their father died and their
stepmother was forced to find work in another
county. James K and his siblings found themselves alone
with no parental support until a young lady heard Mr.
Burrell on the radio speaking about the "Crossroads"
program. James K found help and support in this young
lady and was soon referred to "Crossroads". James K.
says NOW he has "No Worries". He is doing well in
school and hopes to fulfill a dream by attending
Wake Forest University for a degree in Computer
Engineering & Architecture.Architecture.
KEYA'S STORY (Non-Resident)
Has her own apartment
Full Time Employee
I was placed in foster care at age 15. Counting all of the
group homes, foster homes, temporary / emergency
placements and respite homes, I changed placements 16
different times. I didn't’t always do the right things and
made poor choices like most teenagers do. I changed
schools several times due to moving around so much and
eventually just stopped going at all. I was angry and
confused and couldn’t wait to be done with the system. It
was not until I turned 18 that I realized all that I would be
missing once I was out of the system. No more clothing
checks, shelter, foster parents, social workers to call, 3
meals a day, money, transportation or any other social
service safety nets I had grown to depend on. I was
grown and on my own with nowhere to go, no money and
no food. For 2 months after aging out, I slept on a friend’
s couch with 2 other adults. Many days I went without
food. But, although I didn't have a plan, God had a plan.
After connecting with my “I AM NOW” mentor, we created
a plan for my success. I now have a fully furnished
apartment, a bank account and FAITH, that I can make it.
We have developed a close bond and I can call her when
I’m trying to make a tough decision or just need someone
to talk to. My next goal is to return to night school to get
my GED. I don’t know what I would have done or where I
would be if she had not come into my life when I needed
someone to care and guide me. ~Keya
DRE'S STORY
I was born in Miami, FL., but became a foster child in
North Carolina after moving to the area with my Mother at
age 8. Although I spent 10 years in Foster and group
homes, I never formed relationship with those families that
would continue after I aged out of the system. I had lost
total contact with my birth family and felt like I was alone
on this earth. Although there are several things I can
credit my “I AM NOW” mentor with, the most important
would be her assistance in helping me locate my birth
family in Miami, FL. After many Internet searches and
writing letters, I was able to locate several family members
in Florida and New York. Because she took the time to
help me, I currently live in Hinesville, GA with my brother.
~Dre
James
The only thing that's
important to me right now
is getting an education,
and I Am Now offers the
support I need.
The only thing that's
important to me right now
is getting an education,
and I Am Now offers the
support I need.
James
James feels Crossroads is
like home, he cares for it as
his own and is confident and
secure about his future.
James feels Crossroads is
like home, he cares for it as
his own and is confident and
secure about his future.
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180
| Homeless Youth in Guilford County between the ages of 18-23 |
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From Homeless to Hopeful!
We like to share stories of our resident youth and others we've seen grow
and change through the "I Am Now" program. See how mentors and
resources make a difference in their lives.
We like to share stories of our resident youth and others we've seen grow
and change through the "I Am Now" program. See how mentors and
resources make a difference in their lives.
