Teens with no place to go home to

Youth in foster care or children's homes may have to face the new reality of independent living when they turn 18 and 'age out' of the system, while others who fall out with their families struggle to strike out on their own

The playground is a second home for Jade*, 20, who moved back from a children's home to be with her own family two years ago. She claims she gets thrown out of her house by her mother about once a week. She spends the night here and returns home only when
The playground is a second home for "Jade", 20, who moved back from a children's home to be with her own family two years ago. She claims she gets thrown out of her house by her mother about once a week. She spends the night here and returns home only when her mother and siblings are out. PHOTOS: CHRISTY YIP
Azerael* (above) became homeless at 18 and spent the next six years with friends and extended family members. To keep his place in a nursing course, he scrubbed off the tattoo on his hand with salt and a brush, which left him with a huge scar.
Azerael* (above) became homeless at 18 and spent the next six years with friends and extended family members. To keep his place in a nursing course, he scrubbed off the tattoo on his hand with salt and a brush, which left him with a huge scar. PHOTOS: CHRISTY YIP
Naz (left), who wanted to be known only by her first name, sought solace at the home of Mrs Adeline Thong (right) after she became pregnant and fell out with her family. Mrs Thong has supported her through her journey as a young mother.
Naz (left), who wanted to be known only by her first name, sought solace at the home of Mrs Adeline Thong (right) after she became pregnant and fell out with her family. Mrs Thong has supported her through her journey as a young mother. PHOTOS: CHRISTY YIP
Brendan Conceicao
Updated
Jul 07, 2019, 05:00 AM
Published
Jul 07, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Jade* shivered and shifted in her sleeping bag. It was past midnight as she tried to get comfortable at a mosquito-infested playground near her home.

Nights like these are familiar to the 20-year-old. She has been kicked out of the house countless times since she moved back from a children's home two years ago.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on July 07, 2019, with the headline Teens with no place to go home to. Subscribe

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