Mike was born with Cerebral Palsy due to drug-addicted parents. That was only the beginning of a life full of trial and suffering. Without care and resources, Mike ended up on the streets, and though this may shock you, this is his story...

"I have a crazy history. I had a lot of anger and never knew why. My parents gave me up for adoption at the age of 3 because I was inconvenient. I went to a lot of counselors and psychologists, but nothing helped. Finally, things got so bad, my adoptive parents were told the only answer was to rescind my adoption and help me get residential care and medical attention through the state.

"Another failed adoption and 30 foster care homes later; I had been abused, beaten and even raped. When I finally spoke of the abuse, I was left in that particular home for another 2 months. A brief stay in a residential care facility at age 13 helped me learn to deal better with my anger and life improved a little. I clipped a news article at the age of 15. It was about a teenage boy living with a foster family. He unknowingly walked into a drug deal. He managed to get away, but was badly beaten before doing so. There was no one to help and he died. It still scares me to this day.

"Then, on my 18th birthday, the state basically said, "Time's up, you're on your own Good Luck!" I had no idea how to live independently. I was able to find my birth mother, however, she was uninterested in me stating that she had her own issues.

"I felt betrayed by everyone. I had no place to go, nobody to turn to for help. Someone who, I thought I could count on for support once said to me, "Mike, you don't need any enemies, you are your own worst enemy." I tried desperately to find a job. No job came through and after three agonizing weeks of homelessness, I finally came in contact with the HomeBase Youth Services Outreach Center. I was approved for the Transitional Living Program.

"After seven months of caring and consistent foundation to work from, I was able to move into the Independent Living Program. It's been a real-life miracle for me. I'd hate to find out where I'd be without HomeBase and the help they've provided by keeping me connected through the Independent Living Program. I'm applying all the principles I learned in the Transitional Living Program, but I still know the people are there to talk to and support me as I learn to make it on my own. I'm working, attending Phoenix College and plan to get a degree in teaching. Today anger is fading into forgiveness and there's a wonderful thing about forgiveness, it doesn't bless the trespasser, but it gives peace to the person offering it."