From Foster Care to Fighting Homelessness: A Mission of Hope

(InvestigateTV) — Michael Larson’s life began with a trauma that no child should ever have to endure.

At just two years old, he and his siblings were placed in the foster care system after both of their parents were sent to prison. For the next decade, they bounced between seven different foster homes, experiencing instability and hardship.

But at 12, their lives changed forever when a single mother with two children of her own adopted all three of them. “My adoptive mom is probably the most important person that’s made an impact on my life,” Michael says.

With the love and stability of his new family, Michael thrived. He graduated from Gonzaga University, a feat that less than 10% of former foster youth achieve. He is keenly aware that he is a “miracle story” and that many who age out of the system end up experiencing homelessness. This knowledge has fueled a deep conviction to give back.

Today, you can find Michael volunteering under the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon, with an organization called City Team. Their weekly “Night Strike” event provides food, clothing, medical care, and, most importantly, a sense of community and dignity to people experiencing homelessness.

But for Michael, meeting immediate needs is just the first step. He has started his own nonprofit, Humans for Housing, produced a documentary called “No Place to Grow Old” about the rising rate of homelessness among older adults, and is meeting with lawmakers to advocate for systemic change.

“A dream of mine is that we get to this point in our society where we believe that all people deserve a safe and stable place to lay their head at night,” he says. His personal journey has given him a unique and powerful voice in the fight to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.

Read more on Michael’s story by clicking here.