My journey started at the age of 14 when I left home to live with my friend’s family, following years of disagreements with my dad.
I stayed with them while I finished high school. But the stress of everything meant I turned to alcohol to cope and things quickly got out of control.
I was asked to leave, and struggled for months with nowhere to live.
I found YMCA Norfolk, and they offered me a safe and secure place to live. For the first time I had support and structure and I began to learn how to live independently.
The staff offered amazing 1:1 support and guidance, even through some of my most difficult times.
YMCA Norfolk has been there supporting me through the brightest and darkest days. And everyone has inspired me to keep going forward at all times.
Every young person who comes to YMCA Norfolk gets the support they need to move forward with their lives. You can be part of that story. Donate £50 today and make sure a young person made homeless on Christmas Day has a safe, warm home tonight.
You can read Kendal’s full story here.