What Drives Tyler Toward Stability
24-year-old Tyler’s life is in constant motion, and he’s proud of that. After all, he built it that way.
Most days, Tyler is pulling 10-hour shifts delivering Amazon packages. When he's not behind the wheel, he's behind the counter at a local sandwich shop, making subs. "I never would’ve thought I'd be capable of being someone who works two jobs. And I do it because I want to, not because I have to," Tyler says.
What drives Tyler is a desire to be reliable and help others. He's always the first one to volunteer to pick up a coworker’s shift when they need coverage. In his spare time, he builds and sells motorized bicycles to provide affordable transportation for those who don't have another option. It's who Tyler has always been — even when he was the one who needed help.
Just a little over one year ago, Tyler was living out of his van. As someone with a passion for fixing up cars and motorized bikes, he did a lot to try to make his own vehicle a livable space. After a few months, however, it became clear that this lifestyle was unsustainable.
"It was kind of just unbearable once it became summer," Tyler says. "It was harder to figure out basic things like where to shower, and where to go to the bathroom. Trying to stay cool was the biggest thing. You can figure out how to keep warm, but staying cool isn’t always possible.”
The thing that ultimately motivated Tyler to seek out support wasn't his own comfort, but the well-being of his dog, Rex. "I wanted to do it for him, honestly," Tyler shares. "I was really just thinking, 'He shouldn't be out here,’ you know? I wanted to make my life better for him."
It was at this point that Tyler sought support from HomePlate Youth Services. A local non-profit partner that provides drop-in services for youth experiencing homelessness, HomePlate had been a resource for food that Tyler relied on for years. After hearing about his housing situation, a HomePlate staff member referred Tyler to Boys & Girls Aid's Housing Services Program.
Soon after being referred to the program, Tyler worked closely with Cameran, Boys & Girls Aid’s Lead Supportive Housing Liaison, to search for his new home. “Once I got into the program, everything was just so straightforward. They make the process really easy for you,” Tyler says. “Cameran told me what my budget was and told me that I could move anywhere in Washington County. They gave me a list of places I could check out, but they told me, “This is on you. You have to find the place where you want to live.”
With Boys & Girls Aid's support, Tyler found and moved into a quality, affordable one-bedroom townhouse apartment, complete with an in-unit washer and dryer. While the process of settling into a new place always has its ups and downs, at the end of the day, his new home has been exactly what he needed. With a roof over his head, as well as financial support and skills training provided by Boys & Girls Aid, Tyler has finally been able to focus on his future.
“I never would’ve thought I’d be capable of being someone who works two jobs. And I do it because I want to, not because I have to.”
"The program has definitely given me a higher work ethic," Tyler says. "I can do a lot more than I could when I was living in the van, because I don't have to figure out how to take care of the basic stuff."
Today, Tyler is using his newfound stability as the engine to move toward his long-term goals. Right now, he's working hard to save up so he can eventually begin paying full rent and “graduate” from Boys & Girls Aid’s Rapid Rehousing program. At the same time, he's developing his skills with motors, aiming to eventually secure an entry-level position at a garage as he pursues his dream of becoming a mechanic. He still has many miles to travel before he reaches his goals, but for now, the essentials are taken care of.
“I’m housed, I’ve got a place, my dog’s happy, and we’re safe. It’s perfect for me right now and really, it’s a nice place to call home,” Tyler says.
Every year, more than 200 young people turn to Boys & Girls Aid for housing support. Donors like you play a critical role in preventing homelessness by funding programs that provide youth with the resources, connections, and support they need to build lifelong stability. When you make a tax-deductible donation to Boys & Girls Aid, you help ensure young people like Tyler will receive the help they need to live independently and thrive.