Tyler Accepts Help, Finds a New Purpose

A native of Omaha, “Tyler” was trying to kick a heroin habit. A YES Street Outreach team encountered him on the streets of Omaha after his parents had rejected him. He had recently returned to this area from Seattle. He had been living with his grandparents until they got fed up with his drug-induced behavior.

Back in Omaha, he turned from heroin to alcohol. The streets became his home and street people his family. He drank from early in the day until he passed out on a bench or in an abandoned building. He had no job, so he panhandled or begged for food and money. He often got into fights. He stole money, food and liquor. He was 21 years old, homeless and hopeless.

Youth Street Outreach staff knew Tyler well. They worried that he would one day be found, beaten to death or frozen or lifeless from alcohol poisoning. Beyond accepting food, clothing and basic supplies from Street Outreach workers, Tyler resisted their help. Eventually, however, patience and persistence paid off. After two years of being offered services, Tyler finally accepted. It was a painfully slow process, but Outreach helped Tyler to regain his self esteem. They referred him to dental and health services at low-cost providers. Helped him to get and keep a job and to find an apartment. Tyler has turned his life around, and is finally becoming the person that he was meant to be.