Kaan

Hi, I’m Kaan, I’ve been homeless for many years. I’ve moved from place to place, staying in hotels, sleeping in bus terminals, and being on the streets. Before I was on the streets, I grew up in a family with 3 girls, 2 boys, and a single mother. My mom was both my mother and father. She raised us with all she had. She went back to school while working and keeping food on the table. I looked up to my mother, who could handle anything in life.

I tried to model myself after her, but things started to fall apart as I got older. It became difficult to stay focused. At that time, I was dealing with a lot of adversity mentally and was staying with different people a lot. And if I wasn’t staying with them, I was either on the streets or in hotels for half the time. Eventually, I got tired of living an inconsistent life. I talked to my friend who was a past resident, and he suggested that I go to the Mission for some stability.

Taking his advice, I came to the Mission and met a resident called Mike, who took me under his wing. Through the Mission’s programs, I met many people with different stories and backgrounds. I learn from them all the time. Honestly, I never thought about going to any shelter, but I’ve been grateful ever since I’ve been staying here. I gained not only stability but confidence in myself to do well in this world.
In a year or two, I hope to settle down with my own housing. I want to let people see that I am there for them just as they were there for me during my toughest times.