Fighting Youth Homelessness, One Show at a Time

Fighting Youth Homelessness, One Show at a Time: Afro-punk and the Bronx Underground

Words and Photos Whitney Summer Boyd

(James Beary was 19 when he found himself sleeping on train)

Last Friday, Afro-punk met up with James, the Bronx Underground and hundreds of other kids around New York to put on a show in our efforts to support youth homelessness. People came out to donate hygiene supplies and to hear a couple of underground bands, including A Moment's Worth, Anamanaguchi, and Made in March.

While he was homeless, James said that he felt there were so few outlets for teens to find out how to navigate the shelter system. "There are shelters out there, but there is no wikipedia page which gives you step by step directions on what to do," James said. "It's a long process and it's a confusing one. Many teens just give up." When we asked James what he thought would be the best way to reach homeless teens, he told us through the power of music. "Many kids support shows and there are several kids here today that I've seen in shelters around the city, but you would never know they were homeless...the best way is to help through outlets that they understand and relate to."

Friday's show was just phase one of a series of events Afro-punk is hosting to push for youth homelessness awareness. Over the next month, AP is teaming up with Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation Initiative which is a volunteer platform giving people the chance to earn free tickets, hotel, and transportation to music events like the Virgin Mobile Freefest on September 25 in Columbia, MD. Acts include M.I.A., Thievery Corporation, LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, T.I. and many other artists. For more info on how to volunteer and win tickets, click here!!!

Those who came out to support youth homelessness with Afro-punk and the Bronx Underground:

( Attendee, Nala Ward, brings her products for youth homeless)

karlene lriangoz, 18

college bound

Jessica Billingsley, 20

waitress

Thomas Baez, 17

computer intern

kirsten cromedy, 20

aspiring model

kirsten & her bf, James, 24

aaron prince, 20

sales associate

darryl mcdaniel, 16

high school math nerd

sasha stickland, 19

aspiring speech pathologist

jorge cantu, 26

hair stylist

vivia thompson, 15

student, photographer, muse

ruth encarmacio, 17

bracelet collector

tiffany serrano, 18

video game junkie

juan dejesus, 18

cartoonist

james hammond, 18

computer tech student

angie richards, 17

film maker

damon robinson, 20

aspiring musician

benji oliveras, 19

masseuse in training

Pics from the show:

Over two million youth (between the ages of 12 and 24) will experience at least one episode of homelessness each year and over 100,000 youth sleep on the street for 6 months or more in America. Youth homelessness is the result of other societal problems like poverty, drug abuse and addiction, homophobia, mental illness and domestic violence. We encourage you to lend a little of your time and support to show these young people you care.

If you or anyone you know has ever experienced homelessness, share your stories here.