Duluth, MN (The Northland's NewsCenter) - Mary Elizabeth Allen used to be a homeless teen on the streets of Duluth.
After giving her baby up for adoption, she spent an entire year without a place to call home.
Until Life House came into the picture.
"I don't know what I'd be doing right now if I didn't have Life House."
The organization's 'Adopt–a–Kid' program helps youth get back on their feet through mentoring and contributions from generous donors.
"It gives our kids an opportunity to say hey, I am somebody, I do matter, and I can make a difference, and this is how I'm doing that."
Kim Crawford is the Executive Director of Life House Duluth.
She says misconceptions about so called 'troubled teens' are damaging to both the community and the teens themselves.
"Most people think about at risk as homeless, throw away kids, kids that get into trouble and they're truly not."
In order to change the perception of homeless youth in our community, Life House commissioned the work of Crystal Pelke to develop a play based on the real life stories of these teens.
"This is an opportunity to bring their stories to light."
Through interviewing dozens of teens, Pelke developed an unconventional theatrical piece using the poems and words of these teens to change the way we view our 'Youth in the Shadows.'
"There's pressure involved with this, and these are other people's stories. These are real lives."
Allisun Zagar, an actress in the play, says, "It hurts sometimes to read it and think about it and know this happened. This is real."
The performers feel the pressure as well; trying to deliver a story that grips the audience and makes the stories tangible.
"You really have to put yourself in their shoes because I for one have never been homeless."
But everyone involved knows when the curtain closes, doors will open for the teens who need them.
"The stories that we will hear on Tuesday night are amazing and very powerful and what you will walk away from that is how remarkable these Life House kids are."
All proceeds will benefit the Adopt–a–Kid program at the Duluth Life House.
For ticket information visit Life house Duluth's webpage at
The play is showing twice on July 26th at the Teatro Zuccone at 6 and 8 pm.
Tickets are 29 dollars, which also happens to be the same price it takes to adopt a kid for a month.
When you leave the theater, your ticket will give one teen the resources needed to better their life for a month.
Written for the web by Chris Axelson
caxelson@northlandsnewscenter.com
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