Voices of the Village

Deidre

For as long as I can remember, alcohol has been in my life. Even as a baby, my family would put beer in my bottle to keep me quiet. Unaware of the impact alcohol would have on the rest of my life, I felt I had a pretty normal childhood surrounded by family.  

Belinda

From a young age, I witnessed the devastating effects of addiction. Because my mother suffered from alcoholism, I lived with my father until he passed away when I was just 13. While grieving the loss of my father, I moved back in with my mother and an abusive stepfather. I used any opportunity to avoid being at home, which led me down a difficult path.   

Bonita

I had to grow up quickly. My mother had me at 16, and I was raised mostly by my grandparents. My father was in and out of prison during much of my childhood and was murdered when I was just 12 years old.  

Making my childhood even more challenging, my mother exposed me to an adult lifestyle at a very young age. As a result, my life evolved into a fast track of drugs, alcohol, and men. 

Iva

Before I came to N Street Village, I was homeless for a decade, battling depression that started with the death of my mother. When I walked through the doors of the Village a year ago I knew I had found a family that was ready to welcome me with open arms and connect me with the resources I needed.

Sharon

My name is Sharon Baker and it’s been a long time coming, but I finally get to tell my story.

I have to remember where I came from in order to know where I want to go.  I was born into addiction and was never interested in drugs because I saw what it did to my family.

Jewel

As a child, Jewel experienced family trauma and abandonment. Life was hard at home and as a teenager, she looked to escape any way she could.

Jewel got married at age 17, left home with her new husband, and had her first child. But her marriage didn’t work out as she hoped. Her husband struggled with drug addiction, and Jewel suffered through years of verbal and physical abuse.

Angela

My name is Angela and I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to share my story with you.

Your generosity has given me a gift I never thought was possible. You see, before I came to N Street Village, I was living on porches and streets.

Nataki

My name is Nataki, which means “princess” in Swahili.

There were no transgender role models in the city where I grew up. As I got older, the only way I knew how to be myself was by going to clubs, prostitution, and using drugs.

Karen

Karen was born and raised in D.C. She started using drugs in high school, as the pressure to be cool and fit in began to escalate. She graduated high school, but what began as a casual habit with friends soon spiraled into a serious drug addiction.