Tumbleweed executive director Georgia Cady has heard plenty of heart-rending stories after decades of working with at-risk and homeless youth. But the words of one young client at Tumbleweed, a Billings nonprofit organization providing assistance to youth, keep echoing in her mind. The young woman told her, “The difference between you and me is that when you wake up, your nightmare ends.”
A place for youth with nowhere to turn
Since the Junior League founded Tumbleweed in Billings 47 years ago, the nonprofit has been helping youth ages 7 to 25 with services ranging from food, clothing, transportation and employment to more complex assistance with college applications and supportive housing.
Tumbleweed is a haven for young people on the street — often in subzero weather — with no food, no place to sleep, no money and no one to call. There is no typical Tumbleweed client, Cady said. “We see folks from great homes, broken homes and foster care, and from all races and backgrounds.”
Surge in need, elevated risk
From November 2021 to November 2022, Tumbleweed served 778 youths, 378 of whom were new to the organization, a 54% increase over the previous year.
Homeless youth are particularly vulnerable to trafficking, Cady said, often trading sexual favors for a place to sleep, a meal or a cellphone. “When it’s 40 below and you have nowhere to go, your choices are very limited.”
Tumbleweed also has a drop-in center at 505 N. 24th St. in Billings, where homeless youth can get a meal, take a shower or do laundry. The center is not a shelter, but a place to get out of the weather for a short time.
Transition from foster care
Youth in foster care often become homeless when they age out of the system at 18. Tumbleweed administers the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to help young people transition to a healthy, successful adulthood. “We set them up in their own apartments, supervise them there and help them acquire the life skills they need to live like adults,” Cady said.
The supportive services and case management that Tumbleweed provides are essential for youth to transition successfully from homelessness or foster care. “It’s not just the structure or a roof over someone’s head,” Cady said. “Our program is flexible, and we aren’t checking boxes. We meet our youth where they are and partner with them to get them the help they need. We help build permanence.”
Preventing homelessness
Tumbleweed’s vision is to end youth homelessness. The prevention program includes crisis management with Tumbleweed staff on-site in three area high schools and a career center providing support so that students stay in school. “You are 400 times more likely to be homeless if you don’t graduate from high school,” Cady said.
Employment help
“Can you imagine trying to get a job without an address, nice clothes or a haircut, and with no parents to help you practice interview questions?” Cady asked. Tumbleweed fills those gaps for homeless youth. She recalled walking with a 19-year-old client to an interview at a hotel, role-playing interview questions. When they reached the hotel entrance the client stopped, Cady said. “He told me, ‘I’ve walked past this door for years and never thought I’d deserve to go inside.’” He got the job, she said, one example of Tumbleweed’s impact.
Investing in our youth
Tumbleweed donors take care of the youth in our community, Cady said. “These are our kids. They didn’t make the choice to become homeless or end up in foster care. We can’t expect them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps because they don’t even have a bootstrap.”
With attention and encouragement from Tumbleweed, young people make the shift from surviving a day-to-day nightmare to leading fulfilled lives. “And they get to be kids again,” Cady said. “When you hear them laughing, see a twinkle in their eye or see them smile, it shows the resilience of the human spirit.”
She described Angel, not her real name, who was in and out of foster care, attempted suicide multiple times and cycled through addiction treatment programs. “She went through our Chaffee program and housing program. We helped her get her birth certificate, employment, life skills and housing. She is now a traveling certified nursing assistant, giving back in a real meaningful way.”
Now 21, Angel is not only successful, but also happy, Cady said. “With support, you can overcome adversity.”
Help Tumbleweed help youth
Donations to Tumbleweed go directly to help provide food, housing, transportation and life skills education for local youth. “We’re a grassroots organization right in the community, not a chain,” Cady said. Your generosity will help Tumbleweed meet the increased need for youth services, and continue to transform young people’s lives. Visit their website to make your donation or volunteer.
