• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Huckleberry Youth Programs is Open During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Learn More.

HYPlogo_blackbar
  • Home
  • About Us
    • COVID-19 Response
    • Mission & History
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Financial Information
    • Success Stories
    • Newsletters & Annual Reports
  • Programs
  • Events
  • News
    • Latest News & News Archives
    • 50th Anniversary
      • 50th Anniversary Press
      • Huckleberry’s 50th Year History
      • Our 50th In Pictures
      • 50th Anniversary Press
  • Get Involved
    • Contact Us
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Young Professionals Board
    • Careers
    • Other Ways To Give
  • Leadership Circle
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Get Help
Donate
HYPlogo_blackbar
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Get Help
Donate
  • Home
  • About Us
    • COVID-19 Response
    • Mission & History
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Financial Information
    • Success Stories
    • Newsletters & Annual Reports
  • Programs
  • Events
  • News
    • Latest News & News Archives
    • 50th Anniversary
      • 50th Anniversary Press
      • Huckleberry’s 50th Year History
      • Our 50th In Pictures
      • 50th Anniversary Press
  • Get Involved
    • Contact Us
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Young Professionals Board
    • Careers
    • Other Ways To Give
  • Leadership Circle

“Huckleberry was life saving for me when I had nowhere to go.” – Yusuf’s Story

by

Yusuf Hansia

In 1997, at age 11, Yusuf Hansia moved to Mill Valley, CA from Bahrain to live with his grandparents. He remembers
the culture shock and always being asked to repeat himself two or three times because of his accent. But culture shock wasn’t the only issue for Yusuf. He was raised predominantly by his grandparents because of a strained relationship with his very strict father. His father traveled for work and, “once every six months, he would appear and when he was around, it was all about having your head down in a book,” Yusuf says about his dad. “No friends to socialize, no play to experience. When he was around, it was his way. I don’t recall how many times I was kicked out of the house, but it was a lot, and for minuscule reasons.”

After three years of living with his grandparents in Mill Valley, Yusuf and his siblings were sent back to live with his father in Bahrain. Life with his father was tense. “It was like living with a stranger,” he said. “We didn’t know our dad. He wasn’t a friend. We couldn’t find common ground. We lived in high anxiety, on high alert, careful of what we would say or what we would do. At one point, I was homeless for a week, and I was also sent to jail for protecting my brother and my sister.”

Yusuf was able to work with both the U.S. Consulate and Ambassador to help him and his siblings return to Mill Valley. Once back in the States, his grandparents refused to let him stay with them. That was when a social worker stepped in and introduced him to Huckleberry’s Nine Grove Lane shelter in San Anselmo.

“Huckleberry welcomed me with open hands without prejudice. It was there where I saw the fundamentals of an American household – they had curfews, chores, scheduling, most importantly understanding of emotions– things I didn’t have growing up.” He stayed at Nine Grove Lane for a both younger and older kids that struggled more or less like me.”

Now a father himself, Yusuf’s relationship with his dad is a work in progress. “I still keep in touch with him.” He said, “I feel that I can’t move forward when I hold a grudge.” His time at Huckleberry made a huge impact on the way he raises his own kids, and how he spends his time volunteering. “I’m involved with kids who need support. What’s better than coming from someone who’s been there, done that.”

Yusuf and Huckleberry Board Member Marianne Bamonte accepted the Corporate Partnership Award for Union Bank at Huckleberry’s 50th Anniversary Gala on November 30th 2017 at Four Seasons Hotel SF in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography)

Primary Sidebar

24-Hour
Teen Crisis Hotline:
415.621.2929

Follow Huckleberry on Social Media

HYP on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Huckleberry Youth Programs

10 hours ago

Huckleberry Youth Programs

Dear Friends of Huckleberry Youth Programs,

Yesterday, we collectively held our breath awaiting the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. The fact that we were unsure of the outcome speaks volumes about the work ahead of us toward racial justice in this country.

Although Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges, nothing will bring George Floyd back to his friends and family. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, and yesterday, moments before the verdict was read, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. All were victims of excessive police force against the Black community. There is no justice until there is racial equity and an end to police brutality. There is only accountability.

The New York Times reported today that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is investigating the Minneapolis police department, a significant step forward in terms of holding more police accountable for misconduct. But the work does not end there. As the Attorney General stated, “the challenges we face are deeply woven into our history.”

At Huckleberry, we stand with our youth who are strong, resilient, and deserving of a world without fear of being harmed at the hands of law enforcement. Young people like Darnella Frazier, who was 17 years old when she had the presence of mind to document George Floyd’s murder on her phone. Our youth demand justice and an end to systemic oppression, not just accountability.

In solidarity,
Douglas Styles, PsyD.
Executive Director
... See MoreSee Less

Dear Friends of Huckleberry Youth Programs,

Yesterday, we collectively held our breath awaiting the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. The fact that we were unsure of the outcome speaks volumes about the work ahead of us toward racial justice in this country. 

Although Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges, nothing will bring George Floyd back to his friends and family. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, and yesterday, moments before the verdict was read, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. All were victims of excessive police force against the Black community. There is no justice until there is racial equity and an end to police brutality. There is only accountability. 

The New York Times reported today that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is investigating the Minneapolis police department, a significant step forward in terms of holding more police accountable for misconduct. But the work does not end there. As the Attorney General stated, “the challenges we face are deeply woven into our history.” 

At Huckleberry, we stand with our youth who are strong, resilient, and deserving of a world without fear of being harmed at the hands of law enforcement. Young people like Darnella Frazier, who was 17 years old when she had the presence of mind to document George Floyd’s murder on her phone. Our youth demand justice and an end to systemic oppression, not just accountability. 

In solidarity, 
Douglas Styles, PsyD.
Executive Director
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 4
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook


HYP on Instagram

huckleberryyouth

443

huckleberryyouth

View

Apr 21

Open
Dear Friends of Huckleberry Youth Programs,

Yesterday, we collectively held our breath awaiting the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. The fact that we were unsure of the outcome speaks volumes about the work ahead of us toward racial justice in this country. 

Although Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges, nothing will bring George Floyd back to his friends and family. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, and yesterday, moments before the verdict was read, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. All were victims of excessive police force against the Black community. There is no justice until there is racial equity and an end to police brutality. There is only accountability. 

The New York Times reported today that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is investigating the Minneapolis police department, a significant step forward in terms of holding more police accountable for misconduct. But the work does not end there. As the Attorney General stated, “the challenges we face are deeply woven into our history.” 

At Huckleberry, we stand with our youth who are strong, resilient, and deserving of a world without fear of being harmed at the hands of law enforcement. Young people like Darnella Frazier, who was 17 years old when she had the presence of mind to document George Floyd’s murder on her phone. Our youth demand justice and an end to systemic oppression, not just accountability. 

In solidarity, 
Douglas Styles, PsyD.
Executive Director

Dear Friends of Huckleberry Youth Programs,

Yesterday, we collectively held our breath awaiting the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. The fact that we were unsure of the outcome speaks volumes about the work ahead of us toward racial justice in this country.

Although Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges, nothing will bring George Floyd back to his friends and family. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, and yesterday, moments before the verdict was read, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. All were victims of excessive police force against the Black community. There is no justice until there is racial equity and an end to police brutality. There is only accountability.

The New York Times reported today that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is investigating the Minneapolis police department, a significant step forward in terms of holding more police accountable for misconduct. But the work does not end there. As the Attorney General stated, “the challenges we face are deeply woven into our history.”

At Huckleberry, we stand with our youth who are strong, resilient, and deserving of a world without fear of being harmed at the hands of law enforcement. Young people like Darnella Frazier, who was 17 years old when she had the presence of mind to document George Floyd’s murder on her phone. Our youth demand justice and an end to systemic oppression, not just accountability.

In solidarity,
Douglas Styles, PsyD.
Executive Director
...

Load More Follow on Instagram

HYP on Twitter

Huckleberry YouthFollow

Huckleberry Youth
HuckleberrySFHuckleberry Youth@HuckleberrySF·
17h

Happening TONIGHT! No registration required. Join this important discussion with Huckleberry Youth Programs via Zoom. Meeting ID is: 916 5412 2141 https://www.facebook.com/events/555829259141874

Reply on Twitter 1384907421181779969Retweet on Twitter 1384907421181779969Like on Twitter 13849074211817799692Twitter 1384907421181779969
HuckleberrySFHuckleberry Youth@HuckleberrySF·
20 Apr

https://www.propublica.org/article/the-lost-year-what-the-pandemic-cost-teenagers?token=TuMy8gExpvZxdxiWRs7mTz21zSyVml5E&fbclid=IwAR0RsljqZr6DUSYkh06E8s6KvT2S1fc8IzEwsKp8mza-rhS06SZuExQXGIQ

Reply on Twitter 1384538665406275592Retweet on Twitter 1384538665406275592Like on Twitter 1384538665406275592Twitter 1384538665406275592

Footer

Connect with Us

Address: 3450 Geary Blvd., Suite 107
San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: +1 (415) 437-2500
Email: hyp@huckleberryyouth.org

 

Need Help?
24 HOUR TEEN HOTLINE
415.621.2929

Subscribe

Copyright © 2021 · Kreativ Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in