18 year old

[Unregistered]

Basically, I'm an 18 year old with a high school diploma. I'm going through my second semester of community college and it's not for me. I live with my aunt and uncle, and I'm going to school majoring in IT. I hate it so much. I don't even know what I want to be in life and college is just adding so much pressure. I figure since I'm 18 years old, I could just move to another state; I live in Nokesville Virginia. I have $1,000 saved up, and I was thinking about moving to Colorado. I realize that if I ever make it to Colorado I'm pretty much going to be homeless. So I thought about joining Urban Peak. I heard they help homeless teens and runaways with guiding them with where they want to be in life and could offer me housing so I won't be on the street.... Maybe Urban Peak is a good choice for me.... I'm 18....and scared. I'm trying to give as much information as possible about where I am in life and where my head is....please help me....I have no criminal records...no history with drugs..I've had a pretty abusive relationship with my father during my years in high school...he's beaten with legs from chairs....once hit me in the head with a hammer... he cut me on the arm with a kitchen knife and it got me landed in foster care for a couple months (this happened around this time last year). My uncle eventually got me out of foster care, not really sure if that matters...just trying to give you guys as much info as possible.....I'm 18 and scared...please help me.

[ccsmod10]

RE: 18 year old

Hi, and thanks for contacting us at the National Runaway Switchboard.

It sounds like you’re feeling a lot of pressure and stress about determining your future plans. You state that you are attending a community college and are unhappy with it. You also say you have money saved, and that because you’re 18 you figure you have the freedom to choose where you want to go. You mention being concerned about homelessness if you decide to move to Colorado, and might check in with Urban Peak for help. You also state that you have been physically abused by your father in the past, and have been in foster care.

This sounds like a difficult time for you, and stressful. What do you think is the best course of action for you at this point? We support your right to determine your fate, and support decisions that help keep you as safe as possible. You mentioned Urban Peak – are you interested in contacting them to ask questions? If that option interests you, here is their contact information:

Urban Peak Colorado Springs: (719) 630-3223
Urban Peak Denver: (303) 974-2973

http://www.urbanpeak.org/gethelp.html

We are here to talk about whatever is on your mind, and we are here 24 hours a day, every day, at 1-800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929). If you want to talk, you always have the option of calling. In addition, we have an instant messaging program right here at www.1800RUNAWAY.org – you can access it from 4:30pm to 11:30pm, every day.

We are really glad you decided to reach out to us tonight. We wish you the best.

~NRS