Brianna's Story "Now I can see a future beyond being a homeless person."

EMQ's SPARK program lit a spark in Brianna's eyes.

16-year-old Brianna was described as being one of the most unmotivated kids EMQ staff had ever worked with. She had no friends or social connections outside of her family. Her social interactions consisted of looking at suicide-related websites all day. She was inclined toward unsafe behaviors and one of her preferred methods of expression was cutting herself. When asked about her future plans, she gave very convincing and serious explanations why she wanted to be a homeless person.

Brianna was also extremely intelligent and articulate, well informed on social issues, and willing to engage staff in conversations about her beliefs. An EMQ staff member who worked with her noticed a glow in her eyes as they talked about art. That staff member proposed an idea to the troubled young lady that has truly altered her future course: She suggested Brianna get involved in EMQ's SPARK program, which provides funding for young people to pursue classes or work in a field that interests them.

Brianna used SPARK to achieve incredible success in pursuing her passion for art. She received SPARK funding to attend a weekly summer session at the prestigious Academy of Art in San Francisco. With assistance from her EMQ team as well as family support, she attended every session and was praised by the Academy staff for her work. The next year she took part in a summer residential program at the Academy and was named “Most Outstanding Student”. (Meanwhile, EMQ staff continued to work with Brianna, providing counseling and behavioral therapy, and holding weekly meetings at her home with her entire family.)

Next Brianna was sponsored by SPARK to work at an art gallery on Santana Row in San Jose, where she was asked to be one of the exhibiting artists in a group show that included local and national professional artists. Brianna shone brightly during the reception for the show and was an amazing host to the family, friends, EMQ staff, and community members in attendance. Her work and confident attitude allowed her to fit right in with established, professional artists.

Brianna has continued to build and maintain positive relationships with local artists and gallery owners and continues to use art as a way to express her feelings. She is already enrolled for the upcoming summer residential classes at the Academy of Art to continue her efforts toward a career in art.

One of Brianna’s issues was her ongoing conflict with her father, whose concern for his daughter led him to closely oversee every aspect of her life in an attempt to ensure her safety and well-being. Because of her success in EMQ's SPARK program, her father began to see her as a confident and capable child and their conflict diminished. He has given unconditional support through his encouragement, transportation arrangements, and proud attendance at every function. Brianna says that her greatest gain is her independence. Her EMQ team thinks that her self esteem and ability to build and maintain positive relationships are miraculous changes too. Brianna now says she can see a future beyond being a homeless person and adds, “It all started with SPARK.”

» Next Success Story

» How Can I Help?

Confidentiality of EMQ children and families has been preserved
through the use of models. Some stories may be composites of multiple cases.