Homeless kids

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A 22 year old homeless woman came from a small town in New Hampshire. She saw video clips of OWS and got inspired to come to OB. She was living in Nashua, and had graduated from high school, but found that it wasn't possible to live on the minimum wages that she was qualified to earn. She worked at restaurants or at the grocery store. And the money wasn't enough to get by. So when she saw Occupation Boston started up, she thought, "this seems like a different way...maybe there's hope". And she came. "When I got here, I was blown away at how friendly everyone was. It's a real community here. They are all helping each other." She also felt that it was easier to fit in. "It's easy to find ways to help here." She's helped with doing dishes and picking up trash. "It's easy to be functional. It's easy to help." She likes helping people and found a new friend, who just got out of chemo therapy. "It was great to feel needed. I helped this person find strength. And that gave me strength. This whole experience has changed my outlook on life". She knew she had talents, but now she sees how to use them.

Phil, a 24 year old Westwood man, graduated with a degree in public policy and international relations. Even though he worked hard to get his degree at a good college (Hobart & William Smith (?)), and worked on several issue-based and Senate campaigns as a volunteer, he couldn't find a paying job. He heard about OWS and when OB started, he came right away. "It's easy to fit in. It's organized. And it's socially just. It gives me hope." He's working hard in a number of working groups, including media and outreach. "I'm working 12-14 hours/day on issues I care about and really enjoying myself. The message has to get out. And I'm glad I'm here to help." He's particularly interested in the Citizens United case and wants environmental justice. He said that he's actually saved money since coming to the camp. "People are donating, so I can do this work". His parents aren't thrilled with his being here, though. So he's glad that other people are willing to support the camp's work.

Stephen, 24, from Stoughton and Bridgwater went to school for theater and communications. He's working in a number of work groups, includng the Food Tent and Street Theater and the Spirituality Tent. Before living at the camp, he was doing catering jobs. But he was going from job to job, constantly worrying about where he would live. Now he doesn't have to worry. He's able to serve people. And do his craft. All at the same site. He believes so strongly in what OB is doing that he stood up to be arrested for unlawful assembly. He said that he's willing to stand up in support for this project, because it was such an amazing place when he got to the camp. And he thinks that the camp can get lasting change. "We're participating in public policy. And we're caring for each other. What's wrong with that. Frankly, and I don't know if you want to print this or not, but this camp is following the teachings of Jesus to be out here caring for each other this way. I hope we're allowed to continue." He want on to say that the space is more of a church than an empty building.

A 24 year old man who graduated from Boston schools, and struggled with low paying jobs at a retail store, a daycare company and a tax preparatin firm. "I like to help people, but it's hard to make ends meet." He heard about the concept of the camp and went to the first meeting on Boston Commons. "Since the very beginning this has been awesome. I didn't believe it could happen. And here we are." There were a few tents at first. And then it grew. And more people came with more ideas. "We talk and gather ideas and get used to each others' energies." He likes that he's participating in policy setting for the rules that he'll live by. "It's like a city council, but different because every one of us counts...everyone listens to everyone else. I'm happy to fight for this cause." Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to help people. But it was hard because the structure of jobs that he'd gotten made it so hard to help.