Lynn teens seek home for teens

LYNN – They’ve labeled their objective “homefulness” and local Youth Council members are convinced they can make an impact this summer on homelessness among Lynn-area teenagers.Endorsed by the City Council and School Committee, the 14-member council includes teens from neighborhoods across the city, including Taima Walker, who said she has seen teens loitering late at night on local streets or sleeping on porches during the day.Walker and fellow councilor Coraima Jimenez called teen homelessness a largely invisible problem.?Youth who are homeless don’t see themselves that way even if they are sleeping in a car or a basement,” Walker said.Under guidance from their adviser and Lynn YMCA outreach volunteer director Wanntha Sim, the youth councilors vowed to dedicate part of their summer free time to focusing on ways to help homeless teens and creating a teen-friendly website.?I feel like we should make a positive change, so that (the streets are) safe for all of us,” Jimenez said.Elected officials took time out last week to praise the councilors with Councilor at large/state Rep. Brendan Crighton – who helped organize the Youth Council with School Committee member Charlie Gallo – praising Walker and her peers for “giving youth in the community a voice.”?It’s really great to see you get involved at a young age,” added Ward 6 Councilor Peter Capano during last Tuesday’s City Council meeting.Sim said Crighton and Gallo asked her draw on her experience working with YMCA teens and local Khmer youth to help the Youth Council. She said the participating teens “have a mature confidence, and they really love their city.”Other councilors include Classical High School students Devyn Astuccio, Christopher Garcia, Jacianna Lights, Kearvyn Arne, Markendy Fils-Aime, Danitza Luque and Emmanuel Gonzales; English High School students Jasmin Chhim, Osayaba Ayinla, Amelia Ferreras and Lynn Vocational Technical Institute students Caroline MacDonald and Jayden Lowe.Chhim said homeless teens are more likely to talk to peers and offer insight into their personal lives. Youth Council members can initiate those conversations, she said, and find ways to provide basic items, including toiletries, to homeless teens.Ferreras and Fils-Aime said the Youth Council’s social media efforts can identify and help organize constructive opportunities outside school for teens. Ferreras got involved in the council after witnessing teen activity in her Highlands neighborhood that bothered her.?I saw a lot of kids who were making bad decisions,” she said.Arne said he joined the council in order to achieve a personal objective after witnessing teen homelessness.?I set a goal for myself. I wanted to help,” he said.