Ava came to the United States from Mexico with her parents when she was four years old. When she was seven, Ava was removed from her parents by the authorities because she was suffering physical and sexual abuse in the home. From the time she was seven until she was 18 years old, Ava lived in one group home after another.

Life in the group homes was tough on Ava. She did not receive counseling to help her cope with the trauma of the abuse she endured. Feeling unsupported and alone, Ava began to act out in many ways, sometimes behaving violently to staff and other youth.

Ava slipped into depression and had frequent thoughts of wanting to end her life. Ironically, to cope with the pain she was feeling inside Ava would resort to injuring herself. By creating physical pain, she was able to ignore the intense emotional pain that gripped her. When she was 18, Ava's boyfriend introduced her to methamphetamine. She was instantly addicted to the powerful narcotic. Meth helped Ava to forget about her painful past.

Ava aged out of the group home when she was 18 and went back to living with her mother. Shortly after she returned home, the physical abuse began again. She was in and out of psychiatric hospitals and abusing drugs. Eventually her mother kicked her out of the home and Ava became homeless.

Homeless at an age when most kids are enrolling in college, entering the military, or learning the ropes at a new job, Ava was abusing drugs and "couch hopping" with her boyfriend. (Couch hopping is a term to describe the transitory practice of sleeping on the couch at different friends' and acquaintances' homes each night. Couch hopping youth are rarely certain where they'll sleep on a given night, if it will be a safe environment, or if they will wear out their welcome within a few stays and be forced to move on.)

Ava's boyfriend was physically abusive towards her and, during one particularly violent incident, caused her to suffer a miscarriage when he punched her in her pregnant belly. Eventually, her boyfriend left. Despite being free from his physical abuse, Ava was overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness and abandonment again. Wanting to get off the streets, Ava entered a residential living program but she was not committed to fully leaving street life behind. Her continued partying, rule-breaking, and drug abuse caused Ava to be kicked out of the program.

The turning point in Ava's life came when she overdosed on drugs and realized that she could die from the lifestyle she was living. She decided that she wanted to live and she had a purpose to fulfill in life. "I was tired of living the street life which included drugs," Ava reported. "I wanted something more for myself."

When she was 20, Ava went to a homeless shelter for help. She learned about HomeBase Youth Services when the Street Outreach van visited the shelter. The Street Outreach team told Ava about the programs that HomeBase offers, including assistance with attaining a GED. Ava began visiting the HomeBase outreach center* and taking advantage of its services.

Ava's involvement with HomeBase Youth Services included working on her GED, attending groups such as the substance abuse group and utilizing basic need services when necessary. Unlike other places she had been, Ava was finally in a safe environment with youth her age, surrounded by staff that cared about her well-being.

Ava feels that she has moved towards a life of independence. She feels stronger than ever being free from drugs and alcohol and loving herself for the woman of worth that she is. She has a residential living apartment, has reconnected with her brother and has learned to trust - something she had lost for a long time.

Ava is continuing to work on attaining her GED and receiving case management services at the Dustin Center. Most importantly she celebrated one year free from drugs and is learning more and more everyday to love herself. In the future, Ava would like to have an apartment outside of residential living, finish her GED, complete college to become a teacher or nurse, and have a family.

*Today, the Dustin D. Wolfswinkel Center for Youth