Audio diary of a homeless teenager

by Minnesota Public Radio

As part of her Youth Radio story, Valencia McMurray kept an audio diary this spring. She recorded her thoughts while living at The Bridge, a shelter for homeless youth in south Minneapolis. Listen to her entries by clicking the audio links below.

Entry #1: "IT'S MY BIRTHDAY"

Valencia gets a surprise visit and birthday gift from her father, and wrestles with feeling needy yet not wanting to be a burden to her parents.

Entry #2: MONEY FOR SHOES

Valencia feels the anticlimax of turning 18 while living in a shelter.

Entry #3: HOMELESS KIDS AND MOTHER'S DAY

Valencia talks about having a real home.

Entry #4: PEOPLE END UP HOMELESS BECAUSE SOMEBODY DISAPPOINTED THEM

alencia talks about her "trust issues" and fear of disappointment.

Valencia McMurray graduated from a Minneapolis high school earlier this week, and has earned a four-year scholarship to Augsburg College. Read her story