Tyrone Lewis is our youth first place winner.  He is a 12 year with wisdom far beyond his years. Below you’ll find his poem where he talks about his family’s own struggle with affordable housing :

“ I hope you like my poem because l worked really hard on it and also I am a poet and am trying to get recognized because writing poetry is my only talent and I have entered a  poetry contest at school. But, most importantly my family is also going through housing problems and l also want to help them because they have done so much for me.”

 

My family grew up here

I don’t want to leave

Ever since I’ve been here

I created memories

 

People paying rent

Trying to find  a house

Working shifts 24/’7

Trying not to get kicked out

 

People feeling angry

People feel depressed

I’m one of those people

I’m just like the rest

 

Families are on the edge

We have to back them up

Everyone should have a bed

And pay little every month

 

That is my vision

That is my decision

Everyone should  in

No one should be hidden

 

Houses on every corner

Houses on every street

Every house has an owner

That sit and rest their feet

 

We’ll Work hard

Day by day

‘til everyone has

A place to stay

 

I shouldn’t see couches

On the sidewalk

I should see a street

Full of  U-haul trucks

 

Every branch

I see on a tree

Is how many houses

I should see on the street

 

I should see houses

Saying sale and  sold

I shouldn’t see people

Standing in the cold

 

My mom looks in the mailbox

And there’s nothing but bills

When I seen the amount due

I thought it wasn’t real

 

Step by step

Wall by wall

Housing for me

And Housing for All!