Thread: Homeless Teen in Chicago New Here

You are going to have an amazing success story some day...

Originally Posted by Vigilante

You are going to have an amazing success story some day...

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by Kung Fu Steve

Wow deja vu.

A chance to go back in time and give myself advice... what a unique situation.

1. Don't give up.
2. There is light at the end of the tunnel - have faith life will turn around.

While it may seem like life couldn't get any worse, know that it can. Be thankful for what you have already but don't become complacent. The physical hunger will turn into a spiritual hunger and it will last forever. Trust me on that one. That hunger is your super power - no one can stop you if you commit yourself. Make them give you a job, kill people with kindness, create value in the world, leave a mark on this planet - you can do it.

If you need a little bit of coaching, anybody here would be willing to give you a hand. Don't expect to be fed, expect to be taught how to fish. The only way out of that mess is to pull yourself out. You will become so much more because of it.

Thanks for the encouragement. Means a lot. I want to build an E-Commerce Site, and a new Social Media network, but I need to know-how to build them. I have seen the video on Robert Herjavec and how he graduated in English, and took a 6 month internship at IBM and was able to build his own Computer Security company, which is sold for over a $100 Million dollars to AT&T. He even built another Tech company which sold for even more. So I know I can do it, I'm all alone on my path and need to come across the right people as well.

Hi!

I was pretty close to homelessness so I can understand some of the panic. In shelters, there are usually people who are there to help you out. I don't know your life situation, but if I were you, I would go to the malls and fill applications, and look for jobs in fast food. You don't need much skills as you learn. When I started, I was horrible and was laughed at but eventually I got the confidence, skills, and some money to save.

Keep your chin up and in a month, you could have your own place with a job that pays enough for some savings, and the rest of the time to sculpt your fastlane success story. Someday when you gaze from your luxury penthouse to the city down below, you will know that you deserved everything you worked for.

Hi -

I'm with Vigilante on this one: YOU WILL have an amazing success story someday!

And i'm glad you're not giving up on your fastlane dreams.

Everything that you need to know (especially with e-commerce site, etc) is at your fingertips - literally! (Laptop - keyboard). And almost all of it - is free!!!

It's true that you might have to find some kind of a job to get a roof over your head, put food on the table, etc. BUT I HOPE THAT you don't let that job get in the way of your fastlane dreams.

All the best to you!!

P.S. Your mom can do so much with 11K. I'm talking REI. But then again, that's not your $$, it's hers. =/

Originally Posted by Sharp

Hi!

I was pretty close to homelessness so I can understand some of the panic. In shelters, there are usually people who are there to help you out. I don't know your life situation, but if I were you, I would go to the malls and fill applications, and look for jobs in fast food. You don't need much skills as you learn. When I started, I was horrible and was laughed at but eventually I got the confidence, skills, and some money to save.

Keep your chin up and in a month, you could have your own place with a job that pays enough for some savings, and the rest of the time to sculpt your fastlane success story. Someday when you gaze from your luxury penthouse to the city down below, you will know that you deserved everything you worked for.

The ONLY shelter in the entire city that will take me in does NOT offer support of ANY kind that you are talking about, seeing as it's a so called "Rescue Mission", that's Privately Funded a.k.a. Donations, and the public services that are provided, like food and a bed to sleep in are only what they call "bait" to get us to hear the "Word of God". Needless to say, I'm only there for the food, bed, and shower, obviously.

And the job market out here is virtually nonexistent for people in my situation. P.H.D.'s are competing with kids who haven't even finished High School yet for jobs flipping burgers at McDonald's out here. Chicago has it REALLY bad in this economy, you just don't see it for all the shopping centers, stores, and fancy restaurants the Yuppies and Welfare families a.k.a. Slowlaners and Sidewalkers enjoy courtesy of their slave jobs and loans.

Hi!

Sorry to hear about that. I did not have any idea that it was that bad. I personally detest the idea of religious influence, but if I were you, I would have played along just for that emergency. I really feel for you and know that you will succeed.

When it comes to mentors, I am sure you can find people who will look out for you and help you out even though you might not have anything to offer. I found on through fastlane and he has been nothing short of an angel taking me under his wing and assisting with anything I need.

Originally Posted by Sharp

Hi!

Sorry to hear about that. I did not have any idea that it was that bad. I personally detest the idea of religious influence, but if I were you, I would have played along just for that emergency. I really feel for you and know that you will succeed.

When it comes to mentors, I am sure you can find people who will look out for you and help you out even though you might not have anything to offer. I found on through fastlane and he has been nothing short of an angel taking me under his wing and assisting with anything I need.

It's the shelter I'm currently at. The few good ones are either only available for women and/or men with kids, or there's a LONG waiting list. My life is literally a living hell ATM, as you can see. The Staff and Bible Program Men act in general are treated far better and act as if they're better than everyone else (us overnight guests there), even though EVERY single one of them have been in the same predicament, and many of them still stay there, they're just kept separate from everyone else, and get free "Dead Man's Suits", perks, etc. I fucking hate that place, and that's just a small part of my drive to get the hell out of there by any means necessary. Oh, and did I mention the terrible odor most of the men have there, despite daily showers? (Although some of them sneak past showering at night )


My mother is at the same place, except on the women's side, letting life pass her by, and quite frankly, after all the hardship she's put me through, I don't give a fuck. I'm mad as hell and I can't take this shit anymore! I feel like a loser, like I'm not human having to be seen by many people throughout the day going in and out of that place, among lowlife bums twice my age and older......it's real dehumanizing. The way people look at us through their Credit-Bought cars is humiliating, yet humbling. (The shelter is downtown, right off of a main street[Roosevelt], so of course there's gonna be traffic ........ I literally feel like a piece of shit being there, with no money, no job, no education, nothing but a will to make it......to be one of the 1%.............

Dude, relax. You have to change your perspective because its not your fault. At least there is the option to get out of there. Do you belong to any groups or community before becoming homeless? What high school did you go to? Many teachers are sympathetic so if you approach them, they might be able to get you a job or know someone who can.

I know you are a good writer. You could promote your services at oDesk or eLance. I think MJ was also living in Chicago so yeah, I understand that winters can be over the top depressing, but you will do fine. You read this book, and now you are experiencing struggle. All you need to do now is to have a job, any job, and then get shelter on your head. Think logically. Is there a good chance that now that you are struggling more than the average PHD guy or a high school dropout, will you work that much harder and have that much more motivation to do good?

I know it sounds demeaning, but you have to reach out to your high school teachers and seek advice. They are very nice and maybe will be able to give you jobs in school. Try to pitch this idea to your former principle. Tell them that if they help you out, you can promote your school and it makes the school sound good as well. The initial struggles are the hardest. Once you keep improving on your life, it will make more sense.

I'm sure you are stressed, upset and feeling angry but at least you can look back at these days before you are a fast lane millionaire and know you are about to survive something most people couldn't or just don't want to. You took the time to reevaluate yourself, read a truly inspiring book , get inspired and now you are working on making the things in the book happen for you. That takes massive courage.

At least you have a computer to work on ideas, at least you have people like us behind you for support... and at least you aren't uninspired and stuck in parked or in the slow lane.

Anyways... I agree with the writing comment. If you are looking for quick cash, there are tons of freelance writing job sites that can provide you with some money in exchange for a lot of time. You can also do assistant jobs as well or even general freelance jobs. If you need any freelance job hunting help, just PM me. I've been doing it for years.

Best of luck on your journey...

Thanks for the support guys, means a lot!

You can do it!

Our biography does not equal our destiny, and while some events occur that are outside our control, we can can control is how we react and what we make of it.

I look forward to watching your growth and journey as an entrepreneur.

Warm regards,
Victor

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

Reading your thread not only gave me encouragement but also made me look back on all the blessings and things that I don't think twice about in my life. All the perks and privileges of a middle class teen like me probably get overlooked by many and simply considered normal. I am humbled by the challenges you face and the determination you have to conquer them compared to mine. On a side note this reminded me about a thing I read in a book that said the most successful people usually get there because they were challenged by a big thing, be it a family death, sickness, financial poorness, etc. and that gave them enormous drive to feel secure and successful.

Originally Posted by Jacob Scholes

Reading your thread not only gave me encouragement but also made me look back on all the blessings and things that I don't think twice about in my life. All the perks and privileges of a middle class teen like me probably get overlooked by many and simply considered normal. I am humbled by the challenges you face and the determination you have to conquer them compared to mine. On a side note this reminded me about a thing I read in a book that said the most successful people usually get there because they were challenged by a big thing, be it a family death, sickness, financial poorness, etc. and that gave them enormous drive to feel secure and successful.

It's good to know you learned something from my experience.

Originally Posted by Vhwin

You can do it!

Our biography does not equal our destiny, and while some events occur that are outside our control, we can can control is how we react and what we make of it.

I look forward to watching your growth and journey as an entrepreneur.

Warm regards,
Victor

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

Thanks man!

Where there is a will, their is a way.

You have experienced (at a very young age), what many people have not, which will make you a very tough nut to crack when it comes to life as you seem like you are mighty determined to prove yourself.

You will go far.

Good luck fella.

Mark

Originally Posted by Tay1

Where there is a will, their is a way.

You have experienced (at a very young age), what many people have not, which will make you a very tough nut to crack when it comes to life as you seem like you are mighty determined to prove yourself.

You will go far.

Good luck fella.

Mark

Thanks, and BTW, I was homeless back when I was 11-13, and 16-Present{had an apartment with my mother for seven months, before we lost that one too...] Not to mention the other issues I've had to endure in my youth, meaning I'm no stranger to adversity, however, unlike my mother and countless millions of others, I haven't succumbed to it....