Teen Life: Hope on the Street

Students and teachers, inside the classroom at Key College

Imagine living on the streets, each day a battle for survival, with no family, no support, in a city teeming with predators ready to pounce on vulnerable young kids? That's the harsh reality for the 46,000 young people under 25 who are homeless in Australia. But the human spirit is an incredible thing. It is this fighting spirit and the help of people who dare to reach out that gives these kids hope for a brighter future. Kate Brodie and Snezna Kerekovic meet some street kids who are trying to make it despite the odds

They may not have a bed to sleep in every night. They may have suffered abuse and cruelty that is unimaginable. They may be addicted to drugs and alcohol. They may have a criminal record. They may be tough. But they are still typical teens. Keen to show their bravado. Not so keen to open up and share.

Three teen boys aged 14-17, who alternate between refuges, when there is a bed available, and the cold, harsh streets when they can't get a bed, are seated in a typical school room setting. Walls are adorned with paintings, photographs, and art. Desks and computers are a reminder of school but, this is as far removed from your typical school as these kids are from their families.

This is Key College - a school for street kids set up and funded by Youth Off The Streets, founded by the unwaveringly devoted Fr Chris Riley. He and Youth Off The Streets are not only these kids fan club, but their cheerleading squad, coaches, and fans, all rolled into one. For kids alone in a city with a seedy underbelly of which these kids are only too familiar with, this fan club is a beacon in an often dark world.

The fact that these kids are here speaks volumes about their strength, determination and guts. Whilst struggling with the very basics of survival they still front up to Key College, to learn, to acquire life skills, to graciously accept the life line that is being thrown their way which will hopefully help them to reach their goals.

But, teen boys are teen boys no matter where they're from or where they're at. So, my first encounter has one of them bagging me out about my bag - a Dolce & Gabbana fake from Thailand! Perhaps a designer bag (fake or not) is not the best choice of accessory when meeting kids whose chief accessory is probably a blanket! So, I figure he has every right to give me a hard time. Upon sharing my fake status, he backs off, but not before we all have a good laugh and the ice is broken; somewhat.

As their stories unfold, I realise I am only fleetingly skimming the surface of the ice and that their tough demeanours and icy stand-offishness are part of their survival instincts. They have quickly learned to keep their distance. I am a stranger and a journalist, so no surprises that they are guarded. Even without revealing too much about what has brought them to the streets, it is clear to see that each of them has a complex life story, bound by intense struggle and coupled with capability and optimism.

Sitting across from a 15-year-old boy, who looks older than his years, who rarely meets my eyes, focusing instead on colouring in the borders on a page, as he shares how he has come to rely on the system of street life.

He states; "I don't trust anyone, I rely on myself!

"I have been on the streets three weeks at a time on and off for ages. I get pissed with my mates through the night just to make it go faster."

Being out of it is another survival tactic for street kids. It's safer for them to be awake all night than to sleep on the streets, and risk the high chance of getting bashed or raped.

Yeah, they may have the smart mouths of teens I know but it is cuttingly clear that their daily life makes their toughness and bravado almost earned. They actually have good reason to put up a front and act tough.

Asked about what they would say to teens in similar situations to their own, their reaction is unsympathetic. But, then again, when every day is an act of survival there is not much space to care for anyone else's plight.

Ben Cook is one of three teachers at the college, better known to students as Ben. He sits amongst the giggles, jokes and excitement, seemingly enjoying the relaxed and open relationship he shares with his charges.

But as much as it looks like a normal school and the kids seem like other teens you meet, this is not like any school you or I have been to. As a teacher, Ben worries about his charges - where will his students sleep that night? Have they got money to buy food to eat? Are they safe? How are they dealing with addiction to drugs or alcohol? These are not the sort of concerns in your run of the mill high schools, where those worrying thoughts are the domain of parents.

He and the other teachers don't end their school day at 3.30pm, it's a 24/7 gig - helping the kids find somewhere to sleep for the night, get a meal, helping them whenever they need help.

It's absolutely inspiring that these kids have someone like Ben to care for them and to worry about them.

Ben has seen many kids walk through the doors of Key College. Most come from broken homes, been physically abused, abuse drugs, or have been involved with crime.

According to Fr Riley, 90% of street kids have been sexually abused. He estimates it only takes a week on the streets before a young person is abused.

Shocking stuff, but it's the hard reality of street life. These kids who attend Key College are fighting against all odds every day that they attend the school.

Ben sees first hand what these kids go through. The simple act of attending the College is a major feat in itself for kids who have so much stacked against them.

"Sometimes the kids get to school late because they have caught an extra bus just so they can avoid Central station, where there are gangs and people looking for them."

Central is avoided by all the kids I speak to. It is a fact of street life that as soon as a kid steps off at Central there are predators waiting for them, ready to lure them into drugs, prostitution and crime.

Ben says; "The hardest thing is seeing kids come so far in progress and then go back to drugs. They have to make a real commitment to be here and to break their cycle, so you know that when they sign up they are determined to make a better future for themselves. Sometimes you get to know a young person really well and you see what they can achieve if given the chance, other times unfortunately, it gets too hard for them to keep up the determination. We always try to keep in touch with ex-students just in case they want to make the decision to come back."

While the success and student drop out rate at Key College is an issue, Ben is like a proud parent when talking about the success stories. In the past few years, the College has seen four students receive their Higher School Certificate. Many of them have continued on to well paying jobs and even TAFE.

"We encourage them to get at least the School Certificate, because that is the basic level of education that they can receive, and still find a decent job," Ben says.

Back to my bagging out bag friend, who is charming, witty and has a wicked sense of a humour. He shares stories about his part-time job, his long list of inventive calling in sick excuses - which I have mentally noted for future reference!

It's the sort of stuff kids talk about and laugh about. The sort of chit chat you can expect to hear from teens anywhere. Listening to him, it's hard to imagine that he is out there, alone, cold, without a bed, exposed to so much more than a kid his age should ever experience.

He still has humour. He still has a spark. He still has hope. Hope for a job - a chef, actor, a youth worker, are just some of their goals. It is these thoughts and the work of Youth Off The Street that gives me hope for him and the other kids I meet and all those other 46,000 kids that call the streets home.