Chicago youths Loysteen and her boyfriend wanted a fresh start in life. So last year they moved to Arizona - a new location and a fresh start in life. But when Loysteen discovered that she was pregnant, they decided to move back to Chicago.
Upon their return, they stayed with friends and family members on Chicago’s South Side. But one day as Loysteen was leaving her aunt’s house she was nearly hit by a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting. Feeling responsible for more than just her own life, the small family made the decision to relocate again, and this time found themselves living in a friend’s car, and later outside in a tent.
Prior to expecting a baby, Loysteen donated blood to raise money to pay for her phone bills. Now she sought employment while pregnant and experiencing homelessness. It was an incredibly challenging situation for the young family. Loysteen was grateful when she learned about the Youth Employment Program from a friend who had gained employment from skills learned in program, and she joined the program as soon as she could. Her boyfriend also joined the Employment Program for adults and received job-seeking assistance for ages 25 and up.
Loysteen attended the 8-day in person youth employment workshop and received job readiness skills training, mental health awareness, and most importantly got to be a part of a close-knit cohort of youths. Meals and transportation were covered, and she used the $230 training stipend from the workshop to keep her phone running so that she could apply for jobs with the resume she created in the workshop. “The little bit of money from the workshop helped out a lot!”
Loysteen did not give up. She and her boyfriend got jobs: Loysteen used her interviewing and job readiness skills practiced in the workshop to seek employment and landed a good job in security. “Precious [workshop leader] instructed the workshop really well. She made me feel welcome and get through the challenges I was experiencing.”
And her boyfriend landed a position as a supervisor in a bakery. The couple saved up their pay stubs and kept reaching out to landlords until they finally found a landlord who would give them a chance, and they moved into their own apartment. “Now we’re in an apartment with a roof over our heads, with jobs, and ready for our baby. We could do it - we just needed a little help.”
Loysteen and her boyfriend are grateful for the AACF Employment Program, what they learned from it, and the assistance they received. “What I took away from it was with a little push I could get it together - it made me want to get up and fight to get it together before my child comes.” - Loysteen
AACF is proud of you Loysteen for what you have been able to accomplish and we wish you all the best as you welcome your new baby into the world!