Apr 15, 2009 9:20 am US/Pacific
Nathan Porras: Teenager Supporting Himself
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
Nathan Porras is one of many Students Rising Above, who is totally on his own- not in foster care, no parents to rely on, and no government aid.
Nathan Porras is a big deal at school.
"He's the person that everyone at school knows," said his teacher Nicole Elenz-Martin. Because he is so outgoing, and bright, she was so shocked to find out what he was dealing with at home. "I couldn't believe the type of experiences that he's gone through and the challenges he's had to face."
Elenz-Martin said most of the kids at Aragon High could never imagine the level of difficulty.
Nathan is totally on his own financially. His parents aren't able to care for him and have been in and out of his life. He works part-time at a restaurant to support himself.
"I work hard for my money," he said. "From the clothes I wear, to the food I eat, and the things I buy for myself. I work for it."
"He's always had to figure out on his own," said his teacher. "How many hours do I have to work in order to buy my notebook and school suppies, how many hours do I have to make sure we have dinner tonite".
He lives with his friend's family right now, but he has had to move a lot- at least once a year, sometimes more.
"It's been to apartment, to house, to living with somebody else's family living with my aunt and uncle, moving back with my parents," he said the situation can be complicated, and it's hard. "My family has always been unstable, constantly going through problems."
At one point, he and his sisters were almost put in foster care. Just last year, when he filled out his college applications, he wasn't sure what to put down for his permanent address. Sure enough, by the time acceptance letters were sent out, he had moved again.
Nathan is only one of the Students Rising Above, living on his own like this: without his parents, no foster care, and no government aid. They will often do anything to avoid foster care, living with relatives or friends, sleeping on someone's couch.
The importance of staying with their siblings is another constant. In Nathan's case, it's a little sister he helped raise.
"We've been inseparable since we were kids. I've always treated her similar to a daughter, " he said. "To be separated from her, that would be the worst thing." In fact, they are living apart now, she lives with a relative in another city.
Nathan resilience has saved him. He hasn't fallen through the cracks because of his tenacious hold on the edge of life - working hard and focussing on school. When he comes to school, said Elenz-Martin, "his lightbulb is on. That's where he shines. He's found a path to see the light, that there is something beyond the obstacles."
"I find my hope in the classroom," said Nathan. Next, he'll find that hope in a college classroom.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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