INVESTIGATION RIGHT NOW@KOAT.COM. AND ON THE KOAT APP. NEARLY 3000 PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS IN ALBUQUERQUE ON A GIVEN NIGHT. THAT IS ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY THE NEW MEXICO COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS. TODAY, A POWERFUL STORY OF SURVIVAL AND HOPE IS BEING SHARED RIGHT HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE. AN AUTHOR IS OPENING UP ABOUT GROWING UP ON THE STREETS AND OVERCOMING ABUSE. BRITTANY MEANS WROTE A BOOK WHICH SHARES HER CHILDHOOD GROWING UP HOMELESS WITH HER MOM WHILE LEAVING AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. SHE SAYS MANY CHALLENGES SHE AND OTHERS FACE AREN’T MORAL FAILINGS, BUT COMPLEX ISSUES SHAPED BY TRAUMA AND BROKEN SYSTEMS. SHE SAYS SHE’S RELIED ON SHELTERS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND WANTS TO SPREAD HOPE TO OTHERS. I DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO SEE IT AS A STORY OF LIKE, ONE BRAVE, POOR CHILD. IT IS A STORY OF LIKE A SYSTEM THAT FAILED SOME PEOPLE AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DIDN’T JUST LIKE, DIE IN DESTITUTION. THE EVENT WILL BE AT THE HOPE WORKS COURTYAR
Albuquerque author to speak at Hope Works event, share story of survival
Brittany Means will discuss her memoir about growing up homeless and surviving abuse at a Hope Works event, where book sales will support local services
Hope Works, a local nonprofit, will host an event Friday afternoon, spotlighting an Albuquerque author’s story of survival, while also raising money for services for people experiencing homelessness.Brittany Means, the author of “Hell If We Don’t Change Our Ways,” will speak at a book event at 1 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Hope Works. Proceeds from books sold at the event will go back to the organization.Her memoir is about growing up homeless while her mother tried to escape an abusive relationship. She writes about living in a car, staying in shelters, and relying on friends, family and later foster care, while also exploring trauma, PTSD and the long-term effects of abuse.Means said homelessness, addiction and abusive relationships should not be seen as moral failings, but as complex issues shaped by trauma and broken systems. She said she does not want her story framed as a simple “bootstrap” success story, but as one made possible by shelters, food banks, community support and people who stepped in to help.”I don’t want people to see it as a story of, like, one brave, poor child. It is a story of, like, a system that failed some people and all the people who came together to make sure that they didn’t just, like, die in destitution,” Means said. “You can leave an abusive relationship. It can feel like your whole world, and inescapable. But on the other side, there’s a life that is enormous and wonderful, and you’ll meet people who will be so good to you.”
Hope Works, a local nonprofit, will host an event Friday afternoon, spotlighting an Albuquerque author’s story of survival, while also raising money for services for people experiencing homelessness.
Brittany Means, the author of “Hell If We Don’t Change Our Ways,” will speak at a book event at 1 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Hope Works. Proceeds from books sold at the event will go back to the organization.
Her memoir is about growing up homeless while her mother tried to escape an abusive relationship. She writes about living in a car, staying in shelters, and relying on friends, family and later foster care, while also exploring trauma, PTSD and the long-term effects of abuse.
Means said homelessness, addiction and abusive relationships should not be seen as moral failings, but as complex issues shaped by trauma and broken systems. She said she does not want her story framed as a simple “bootstrap” success story, but as one made possible by shelters, food banks, community support and people who stepped in to help.
“I don’t want people to see it as a story of, like, one brave, poor child. It is a story of, like, a system that failed some people and all the people who came together to make sure that they didn’t just, like, die in destitution,” Means said. “You can leave an abusive relationship. It can feel like your whole world, and inescapable. But on the other side, there’s a life that is enormous and wonderful, and you’ll meet people who will be so good to you.”
