The Hetrick-Martin Institute
Hetrick Martin Youth
Reaching out for help was futile at the time of my having runaway from home. My first priority was to find housing, food and then finish High School. My early years were a mix of abandonment and abuse, both physical and emotional. There was no support from within my family, to reach out to my father would only result in beatings. Choices were few, yet the ones I had to make needed to be based on preserving my being for hopefully better days in my future. My future has been evolving since I had run away from home and continues to the present day.
Support and Friendship
The Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School makes resources available for youths in the exact same scenarios in which I had found my self when I was a their age, allowing those who have no support a place that acts as a stepping stone. With the foundation of caring and believing in ones own calling, here is a place of companionship, counseling and friendship at these most critical of times in life. It was my pleasure to sit at the Hetrick-Martin Institute and discuss the programs made available to these youths. If during my youth I had this opportunity available my belief is I would have been educated, supported and befriended, allowing me to reach my potential as a person.
With the goals set by the staff of this institution, a youth who has great obstacles facing the most difficult period of their young lives will have a haven in which to excel. I greatly admire their work.
~~Six Gallery - Edie and the Marble Faun ~~
Hi Jerry,
First I must commend you on being so talented to do such intricate stone-work. As my Grandfather used to tell me throughout my life and I am going to tell you. Honey you were born in the wrong time. In my minds eye can picture you doing the intricate carvings on the glorious buildings back when everything was made to look beautiful.
The other thing I wondered was if you ever were able to engage again with the family that abused you so? I too come from too much abuse to speak of and after finding out that my siblings all had been given up after being told for a lifetime that I was an only child and everything wrong was my fault. The last time I spoke with my Grandfather I thanked him for having raised me and he stated that that was the way I saw it and said that I….an innocent baby had been a burden. This was the only person in my life that never physically hurt me and I had mistakenly thought had loved me.
Being such a difficult thing to get over it made me wonder if you were able to be together again. I know this could only happen if the people who hurt you felt regret over their actions and it so rarely happens.
People always remark of how I look, but just because you look perfect on the outside does not mean that you are the same way on the inside. I don’t see myself as others do. Being pretty did not make life any easier. It has always been difficult never having found the unconditional love you found in Big Edie.
I keep trying to continue, yet so much gets lost as time passes by. Losing who I am or used to be, but never knowing who or what I could have been if only had had that one illusive thing that cannot be bought or sold.
Jerry,
What a wonderful program and how wonderful that your able to be a part of it. The love and care these children need in their life is so important and delicate. To be guided is a wonderful gift.