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Second Story

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Our Second Stories

Stories of young people who connected with our programs, got the support they needed, and began writing their Second Stories. (Unless otherwise specified, names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.)

Listen to the Second Stories Podcast

The Second Stories podcast is dedicated to telling stories of people who had first stories full of hardship and hopelessness, yet were able to change the narrative and write their own second story. Their stories of resilience and hope, but also tributes to the people and experiences and organizations that made it possible for them to start again.

Listen
Kendra

Kendra’s Second Story

After being driven out of her home, solicited in exchange for rent, and left as a single parent, Kendra became homeless. She was out of options until she found Second Story.

Read

Camila’s Second Story

When “Camila’s” teachers recommended that Camila be placed in accelerated classes so that she could learn faster and have more opportunities in school, she was nervous. So, she went to her Safe Youth Project Program Coordinator for advice. The program coordinator, "Anna," was excited to hear the news -- she had noticed how smart Camila was and knew that she would thrive in accelerated classes! Things were difficult at first, though and Camilla got discouraged, so Anna and some volunteers stepped in to help.

Read
Dennis

Dennis’s Second Story

"Dennis" was 18 when his stepmother kicked him out of the house, but just because he was an adult didn’t mean he felt ready to live on his own. He was still a high school student, and the burden of succeeding in school and earning enough money to pay rent was crushing. Dennis moved in with some friends and soon grew exhausted and overwhelmed. Everything changed when his friend introduced Dennis to Second Story.

Read
Carla

Carla’s Second Story

When Carla found out she was pregnant, she knew she had to get away from her volatile family. She became homeless, relying on her abusive ex-boyfriend and crashing at peoples' houses. Now, she's a graduate of Second Story for Young Mothers, a homeowner, a student, and a healthy mother to her two sons. Watch the video to hear her story.

Read
Jasmine

Jasmine’s Second Story

Jasmine was pregnant, scared, and living in an unsafe situation. When she found Second Story for Young Mothers, everything changed. In her letter, she reflects on everything she learned and how much the program helped her.

Read
Kiki

Kiki’s Second Story

“Kiki” was used to being on the run. She didn’t get along with her adoptive mother very well, and her solution was always to escape for a few days. One day, after a big fight, Kiki took off to New York. She fled the fights and the conflict at home, but found something altogether worse: human trafficking. Over and over again while in New York, Kiki was forced to exchange her body for shelter and food. She was away from home for over a month before she finally returned home to DC where she heard about Second Story for Teens in Crisis.

Read
Zoe

Zoe’s Second Story

“Zoe’s” parents were abusive. Her earliest memories weren’t filled with family dinners or bedtime stories, but instead Child Protective Services removing her from her mom and dad’s home. Zoe needed a place where she was safe, so CPS introduced Zoe and her family to Second Story for Teens in Crisis.

Read
Brayan

Brayan’s Second Story

As a child in Guatemala Brayan would make his own toys with things around his house. He became fascinated with invention, especially the Tesla coil. Tinkering with how things work was Brayan’s refuge, but life at home was difficult. He grew used to threats and feeling unsafe, but when he was 16 things got worse. He came to the United States and was granted asylum, but he continued to struggle with depression. He worked 12 hour shifts after school, but everything changed when he was introduced to Second Story.

Read
Trinity

Trinity’s Second Story

“Trinity” was a hard worker, full of dreams and determined to make them come true. Her GPA was good, she made the honor roll and enjoyed going to school. Although everything at school seemed in order, her life at home was spinning out of control. After a big fight with her dad, Trinity ran away and stayed on her friends’ couches for months.

Read
Madi

Madi’s Second Story

“Madi” hated how much she and her parents fought, but it was still an enormous blow when they kicked her out of the house. She wasn’t sure where to turn for help so she started crashing at friends’ houses. When Madi found out she was pregnant everything changed, and she reached out to Second Story.

Read
Andrea

Andrea’s Second Story

“Andrea” was desperate when her friend gave her the phone number for Second Story’s hotline. She had been on the run for two weeks but it felt like months. She knew anything would be better than this, so she decided to call the hotline.

Read
Jake

Jake’s Second Story

Not long ago Jake was living in a supportive family, but when his mom died things changed. His step dad wasn’t able to make the mortgage payments and they lost their house. A family member offered to let him stay for a while, but all they could spare was a place to sleep in their walk-in closet. One day, a school social worker realized what was going on and called Second Story.

Read
Nyomi

Nyomi’s Second Story

It seemed like every time “Nyomi” and her mom talked it turned into an argument. At first they just disagreed about little things throughout the day, but as Nyomi got older the arguments grew more and more intense. Nyomi’s mom heard about Second Story for Teens in Crisis and reached out in an effort to improve her relationship with her daughter.

Read
Moesha

Moesha’s Second Story

When “Moesha” found out she was pregnant, her mom kicked her out of the house and Moesha became homeless. Now a part Second Story, Moesha is attending life skills and parenting classes while continuing at her job. Moesha was handed a story written with bitterness and tinged with hardship, but she’s determined to write her own second story, one marked by hope, confidence, and dignity.

Read

Sofia’s Second Story

When Sofia heard that her father was moving out of the country, she refused to leave her house and stopped attending the Safe Youth Project. After a few weeks, the program coordinator called Sofia and asked her to start coming back, everyone missed her. Sofia agreed, and in no time she started feeling happier and more hopeful.

Read
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24/7 Crisis Hotline:
Call 1-800-SAY-TEEN, or
Text “TEENHELP” to 855-11

TTY 711

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Second Story
PO Box 694
Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Phone: 703.506.9191
Fax: 703.992.0727
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Need Help?

If you need help right away, our 24/7 hotline provides support and referrals to services in the DMV area.

Call 1-800-SAY-TEEN or text “TEENHELP” to 855-11

You can also learn more about our support for teens in crisis, youth experiencing homelessness, young mothers experiencing homelessness, or our community after-school programs and drop in centers and if you are eligible for our programs. You are also welcome to contact us directly.

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