Valerie’s Story: Finding Acceptance and a Future

Valerie participating in the City Skyline Challenge to honor the youth Larkin Street serves and to raise funds for youth to participate in Outward Bound.By Valerie Desumo

Since moving to San Francisco, my life has drastically improved. The opportunities of city life have allowed me to pursue all the care and services I need, as well as build a supportive social network.

I’ve also found complete acceptance as a trans woman in the Bay Area. I’ve started my journey on defeating my depression and move forward in life, climb out of homelessness, and start my professional career... But things weren’t always this way.

In the recent past, I was studying computer science and engineering at a state university and coming to terms with my transgender identity, a secret I hid from my emotionally abusive father who showed signs of homophobia and racism.

I eventually had to leave college, because my grades had fallen drastically due to depression. I refused to go home, and I ended up secretly living in an academic building for about a month, but I soon had to move back.

I attended intensive outpatient counseling, but the emotional abuse at home continued, and finally, I left for good. I have not seen my family since then, and I am happier for it.

Soon, the emotional impact of being homeless truly kicked in. I made plans to move to San Francisco, since it has the perfect combination of LGBTQ acceptance and a strong tech and engineering industry.

With a friend’s help, I discovered Larkin Street Youth Services. I was accepted at Lark-Inn (emergency shelter for 18-24 year olds) and started attending the Employment Training Program. Now, I’m in transitional living and secured an IT internship with Larkin Street, so I’m both a client and an employee.

Not only have I been able to seek out the programs and services that allow me to work toward independent living and a professional career, I’ve also been able to have a lot of fun along the way. It is hard for me to say where I’d be without Larkin Street.

For over 30 years, Larkin Street Youth Services has built a robust continuum of care to help homeless youth get off the streets. Larkin Street is a Runaway and Homeless Youth grantee based in San Francisco, California.