Today we’d like to introduce you to Terilyn Burg.
Hi Terilyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 1990 several ladies were walking through one of the San Diego parks (our week outing) and noticed some teenagers going through a dumpster. We assumed that they had lost something (homework, retainer, backpack etc). Just thought they were “teenagers.” The following week we saw the same group of kids in the dumpster again. We hung around and noticed that they were looking for food. It took several weeks and lots of sack lunches to start a relationship and trust and learn of their stories.
Why were they living on the streets? One of the street kids said “I am safer on the streets than the home I came from”
Where did they sleep?
Where did they get their food?
How could we help? Food, clothing, blankets, shoes, socks
How to get ID’s , birth certificates etc for them?
How do we provide all of the medical assistance?
We provided blankets. clothes etc from the trunk of our cars.
It too some time to have a small center where we could provide some of the basics, showers, clothes, food, medicaL, etc…a safe haven for the kids for several hours a night,
Through time and efforts of others we expanded to other cities, states.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
the main struggle has been making the public know that their are homeless kids that are living on the streets of San Diego.
People accept that there are homeless adults or families that live in cars, but they do not accept the fact that there are homeless kids living on the streets in one of most safest cities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am one of those people who likes to sit in the back of the room and observe all of the people.
My work is all volunteer since 1990. I walk the streets looking for homeless street kids so that perhaps I would be able to assist them. It just might be listening to them and their story. I also carry brown bag lunches stuffed with all types of food (fruit, sandwiches, water, energy bars etc). Also a hygiene bag (toothpast personal items etc)
I volunteered with an organization was started out of the trunk of a car. Which through the years was able to have a small drop in center where we able to provide bathrooms, clothes, the necessities of everyday living. Assist with schools issues and sometimes reunite our street kids with family members and be able to send them home.
The kids will tell you I am not homeless, just houseless.
I also just love to hear their laughter.
I am not sure if this is what you wanted. Please let me know.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Boy that’s a tuff subject. Guess I am a risk taker as I walk the streets, go down into canyons because I know that is where the street kids live. Some kids sleep under benches, and also try to blend in with people. I have taken the kids to emergency rooms, etc and try to assist them with getting their GED’s .
I have been able to make a connections with the homeless population in downtown San Diego (the adults always let me know when they see homeless kids.
Not only food but able to connect with housing etc and mosting help with “their wants and needs”.
