18-year-old left a neglectful home, pursues stable career, lifestyle

Wyatt* successfully begins independent living after 1 year at Hope Center
*To protect the privacy of this resident, the individual’s name has been changed in this story.

After 12 months of residence at the Hope Center, Wyatt is successfully transitioning into independent living.

Wyatt moved into the center when he was freshly 18. Since then, he completed high school earlier than expected and got a paid internship which opened up the opportunity for a stable banking job. The Hope Center has helped provide Wyatt with professional work clothing, computer access and a food pantry which offered a level of consistency that he never had growing up.

Apart from hitting several educational and career goals in the past year, Wyatt has been able to explore more of himself.

“Now I have time to take care of myself and to actually know who I am as a person,” Wyatt said. “When I moved in, I finally figured out what my favorite food was, I knew what my favorite color was; basic things that every other person had the privilege or time to discover, I discovered while I was here. So basically, I’m just myself now. I just didn’t have the time or resources to know myself and I guess now I do.”

“Just being in a house with a lot of queer people… I think It’s valuable to see people who are somewhat similar to you , but still have different life experiences. It’s useful to see not a stereotype or not an archetype.”

Wyatt grew up taking care of his mother and stepfather who both have chronic illnesses. Both of their conditions hindered his guardian’s abilities to work and care for themselves, much less a child. Wyatt’s mother has bipolar 1 which added another layer of instability to the household environment.

“So it was just a lot of ‘OK, she’s happy this week, yay.’ Next week I’m on the street,” Wyatt said. “My mom doesn’t want me at the house… There would be one or two weeks where I’m taking care of them. Everything’s good. Next week I’m not even there.”

Having distance from family has been helpful for Wyatt to learn how to navigate the adult world and secure his own life and identity. He had already been taking testosterone before joining Dallas Hope Charities, and once his new apartment lease is finalized, Wyatt will continue the process of legally changing his name which has been a long-term goal of his.

“I wasn’t really able to change my name because my biological dad is, uber transphobic, like, so transphobic,” Wyatt said. “…It would be just such a hassle to get him to sign off and everything and court orders.”

While living at the Hope Center, Wyatt felt like his transgender identity was affirmed.

“I’ve been happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’m hyper sometimes because I’m just so excited and it’s so new to me. I go out places, I do things, I’m social, that’s very new to me.”

“Just being in a house with a lot of queer people…. was very valuable,” Wyatt said. “I think it’s valuable to see people who are somewhat similar or somewhat you, but still have different life experiences. It’s useful to see not a stereotype or not an archetype.”

Growing up as an only child made living at the Hope Center an even bigger culture change. Wyatt initially felt nervous to move in but ultimately understood that it was a safe space to heal and grow.

“I’ve been happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life,” Wyatt said. “I’m hyper sometimes because I’m just so excited and it’s so new to me. I go out places, I do things, I’m social, that’s very new to me. And it can be overwhelming but it’s not overwhelming in a bad way. It’s kind of exciting overwhelming.”

At the beginning of his internship, Wyatt found out that his great-grandfather was in hospice. Wyatt had the chance to visit one last time before he passed a week later.

“I had written him a letter that I was going to mail out to him, and on the day I was going to mail out to him, he passed away,” Wyatt said.

Wyatt struggled to grieve while pursuing his new job and he felt like giving up. Having community at the Hope Center helped support Wyatt through these changes.

Another resident heard about the passing of Wyatt’s great-grandfather so he stayed up with Wyatt to talk. A few days later, the two burned his letter in the backyard fire pit to say goodbye.

“We had a cathartic moment and we spoke about [my great-grandfather]. And then… he just let me be by myself. And that’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever done to me. So I think there’s very thoughtful people here and it just made a big impact on me.”

“We had a cathartic moment and we spoke about [my great-grandfather],” Wyatt said. “And then… he just let me be by myself. And that’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever done to me. So I think there’s very thoughtful people here and it just made a big impact on me.”

Moving forward, Wyatt is on track to get his driver’s license with the help of driving lessons from his grandparents. He also signed a lease for his first studio apartment. Wyatt has plans to take community college classes online and then transfer to a university to study economics utilizing his job’s tuition coverage program.

“[My goal in five years] I think [is] just being a stable individual and having the past behind me,” Wyatt said. “I would probably have a community around me and… [be] comfortable within myself and to be able to take my shirt off. Basically, just be able to be myself.”

Wyatt hopes to get top surgery in the upcoming years and continue working his way up the corporate ladder.

“I worked very hard,” Wyatt said. “I think even I undermined myself pretty constantly. I think for what I have done at my age, it’s impressive and I think even when I tell myself it’s not, it is.”

“[My goal in five years] I think [is] just being a stable individual and having the past behind me. I would probably have a community around me and… [be] comfortable within myself and to be able to take my shirt off. basically, just be able to be myselfE