St. Vincent’s TeenQuest High School To Hold Graduation
Homelessness Only One Obstacle Clients Must Overcome

   SAN DIEGO — St. Vincent de Paul Village’s Toussaint Teen Center will graduate another student from its on-site, county-run TeenQuest High School during a formal ceremony – cap and gown included – to be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 12:30 p.m. at the teen center’s 1404 5th Street location.

   Four years ago, Oscar came to the teen center to escape a life on the streets. His family had been homeless nearly Oscar’s entire life. Problems common to many who live on the street were no stranger to him.

   Now 18, Oscar is a completely different person, says Rick Newmyer, program manager of the teen center.

   "There is no way to describe it," says Newmyer. "You can’t compare the old Oscar to the new Oscar. … He’s a changed person who has made a commitment to bettering himself."

   Oscar’s story is not unique among the 30 residents living at the teen center, says Newmyer.

   "Many of the kids living with us have abandoned unlivable family situations or, like Oscar, were homeless," he says. "What makes their situations so much more difficult is not only are they without shelter, but oftentimes drug and physical abuse, neglect and other issues burden the kids.

   "They come to us very defensive and we have to break through the emotional shell they’ve constructed around them to find the real person," Newmyer says.

   The teen center’s case-management program offers the youngsters a comprehensive group of programs – all of them available on-site – that addresses the problems today’s teens face. Life-skills classes, job training, medical care, counseling, recreation, housing and meals are all part of the services offered.

   The high school is another element of the program, and Oscar’s graduation is proof that it works, says Newmyer.

   "We couldn’t be more proud of Oscar," he says. "He’s come such a long way and he’s a great example of the kind of success our program produces."

   Oscar’s short-term goals include moving into one of the graduate-suites at the teen center and enrolling in college to study computers.

   "For his senior project, Oscar built his own computer from spare parts lying around the building," Newmyer says. "He’s our resident computer guru."

   For more information on Thursday’s graduation, call (619) 525-1608.

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