Nineteen-year-old high school student Kevinia Pickford’s dream is to go to college although she is homeless.

Pickford became homeless after being kicked out by her drug-addicted mother. Then, she was turned away by her estranged father and soon was on the street.

“Being homeless is hard-,” she said. “It’s hard because the people that you love don’t seem to love you anymore.”

Pickford came to PHC Friday to obtain food stamps, housing and employment. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out. She couldn’t get food stamps because she had no proof that she had been fired from her job for missing work on days she was in school.

When Pickford applied for housing, she again lost out because housing applications require that the applicant have some income.

Also, the only housing available for girls her age are for those who are pregnant or who already have a child. Pickford was then referred to a shelter, which in a cruel twist of fate turned out to be the same shelter where she is staying.

She tried the Social Security table next. She was told she didn’t qualify because she wasn’t old or disabled.

The last service that Pickford turned to was the employment section. But the long, winding line defeated her.

“It’s really hard when you come here trying to get help, and the only help available is for people who are pregnant, elderly, disabled and have a job,” she added.

“Why can’t they help all of the young people like my friends and I?”

Although she was dejected, there was one more line to try. The checkout line on the way out of the building. Here a friendly volunteer gave her a bag filled with many useful items including toiletries and clothes. At the end of a day marked by tears and frustration, Pickford tried to maintain a positive outlook.

“I’m just happy I was able to get food and all of this free stuff, the gifts they gave were things that I really need,” she said.

Pickford sees her homelessness as something that will end. She continues to attend high school and will be graduating later this month.

“There is one good thing about being homeless; as a homeless person you have nowhere to go but up, and that’s toward success,” she said as she left.