18/F/?

Alternatively, Dealing with White People Problems while "Homeless"

 I was kicked out of my house two weeks ago.

I figured I should get that particular detail out of the way before moving on with the important part of the story. I'm sure the actualities and particulars of the explosive event that my ejection from the nest became will come out over time. That's not what I want to focus on now. I want to talk about White People Problems.

At eighteen years old, a student falls under an awkward situation where they really, really are not adults, more like children patronized with the right to vote, fight in wars and buy cancer packs. (Ah, those prized attributes of adulthood.) An eighteen year old cannot rent a car, a room on the Vegas strip, or most apartments, for that matter. Important to my situation, an eighteen year old still under their parent's tax umbrella cannot take out student loans on their own.

The only way for a student to get out from the influence of their parent's income is to file for independence. In Arizona, only weird and usual circumstances can get you that shiny title, "Independent." It doesn't matter if your parents won't give up their tax information, or if you demonstrate total self-reliance, or even if you're effectively estranged. You need to file paperwork, have letter(s) from third party source(s) and jump through hoops for cookies. (Beware, they're government issued and loaded with preservatives.)

Alternatively, as the FAFSA claims, if you have a "directive," official paperwork declaring homelessness or at-risk homelessness, you can file for financial aid independently. The problem with this little loophole is that nobody this homeless youth could seek out knows what a directive is how how to get one. In fact, the only thing this homeless youth has received from any Homeless/ In-Transition Organization/ Help Hotline/Shelter is a dozen phone numbers for every number called. It's an exponential growth of organizations, all interlinked to give phone numbers and not much actual information unless you're In Crisis. I have a temporary roof, so I do not qualify for the kind of emotional action In Crisis typically receives.

Thus begins an endless line of White People Problems. I would have expected fewer, now technically being of some small minority status, but there it is. I have to keep calling people to get help, explain part of my story in every step of the process, assure people I'm job-seeking, hand out resumes, smile, say thank you, dial more numbers, wash and repeat.

What frustrates me most is that I know I'm a capable individual, and I know not everyone in my situation has similar skills. If it's this difficult for me to find assistance, how impossible could it be for someone without internet access, phone usage, work experience, a high school education or the networking opportunities I have? I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm thankful I am where I am, even if I'm constantly attached to a phone. (White People Problems.)

Tomorrow I begin a small impulse adventure in the nature of a bum-road-trip.
Pictures and stories will be forthcoming.

I want it to be known for those not up to date: I'm okay, I have a place to stay for now and I am a full-time student. I have some work, with more on the way. I'm making it.

Love,
Sonya
Professional Vagabond