From Vlad T.: When I was 9 years old I started to hang out on the streets. I tried using substances and drinking alcoholic beverages. My relationship with my family started to get worse. I living in a parking lot for a whole year. Then I started going to the day shelter. I liked everything there, and they always treated me well - they always fed us, and gave us clothes. After the day shelter I stated living in 58 Chkalova street (LB shelter). I have everything I need here, good teachers that help me when I have difficulties. I'm studying in Uralskii Podvorye, to be a plasterer. After that I want to learn to be a masseur, maybe one day I'll even open my own sauna!

--translation of the Russian original, written by Vlad T.

Update February 2005: Vlad currently lives in our shelter. His single mother has 7 children and is unemployed- which is why he ended up living on the streets. Thankfully, he never became addicted to substances, and he's always been a bright kid. He's doing well in his studies and he seems to have excellent prospects for the future.