No Place Like Home

Video posted April 26, 2012 in News by George Umbenhauer

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Justin Martin is a 20-year-old that has been traveling from home to home since he was a little boy in Kentucky.  After his parents lost their legal rights to him, he started his journey from living with his brother, a friend, and finally the Stepping Stones transitional living home in State College, PA. 

His new home in the area has brought about many opportunities like jobs and the option of attending a school.  Justin currently works at a coffee shop when he is not at home playing video games, or doing his chores for the day.  Him and his other roommates are assigned daily chores and must also buy groceries for their evening dinners at the dining room table where they talk about the day and what is next on the schedule of events.

Justin’s life is full of both positives and negatives when he looks back on how things were growing up.  Since his parents lost their rights to him, his family has been split apart, which pushed him away from his siblings.  He is only aware of his older brother Mike’s location because he lived with him for a few years.

He does not have any idea where his other younger brothers Chris and Robbie live, or his twin brother Jeremy, which he only met twice.  He also has a sister named Victoria, whom he never met.  She tragically died after a dresser fell on top of her at the age of two.

His brother’s foster parents make it extremely difficult and literally impossible for him to even make contact with them.  Justin has made attempts to send postcards to them in the past, but had either no response or Mike’s parents saying he was not able to talk and is going through rough times.  This makes communication difficult with the only family he has left.

Justin has many goals though by the time he turns 21 and must leave the Stepping Stones home.  He plans on attending South Hills School of Business and Technology to obtain an associates degree in computer programming.  After he earns his degree, he plans of moving back to Kentucky to be with his girlfriend, start his own family, and “live life”.

Justin text still

His story is compelling and heartfelt when you sit down and learn about his struggles.  But somehow, he manages to keep a smile on his face and his chin up.