"HomeBase Youth Services is a place that I have come to escape from a world full of drugs, abuse, rejection and pain. As a child I grew up with a lot of abuse, pain, anger and confusion. When I was about ten, I used pot and many other things to escape from all I had to face. Growing up I ran away from home on many occasions and did what I could do to survive and feel loved, cared about and accepted. I have never faced my problems sober until I came to HomeBase. I was always looking for the easy way out, whatever it took. Death was one of the things I thought about often and how great it sounded to not have to face my life any longer.

I have even wanted to leave HomeBase because it is a whole new life that I am not used to. I never had rules and chores. But, every time I think about leaving I realize that I am running from my problems right back to the world that has gotten me nowhere. I know in order for me to become something, and not become another victim of the endless world I have left behind, I have to stay and learn how to face my problems.

There are not enough ways to say thank you to all the people here that have helped me to get a new start and a new look at life. If it wasn't for you I might not even be alive today.

I remember the day I decided to come here. The night before I got kicked out of yet another place I was living. The first thing I did was pick up a bottle and drink until I passed out. I woke up the next day feeling terrible and realized I couldn't continue to solve my problems this way. In order for me to stop repeating the same path I knew I needed help. I called up Rachel at the Outreach Center and told her I wanted help. I knew about HomeBase because I received food bags from the people on the vans who got to downtown Tempe almost every day.

I thank God that there is a place like this for youths like me that just need a new chance at life."