N’s only been playing guitar for about six months. They taught themself using YouTube videos and a guitar their brother left lying around. “I think it’s a really useful and helpful tool, because it’s a good release, and it also can broaden my resources and the opportunities I have.”

They mostly play acoustic versions of pop songs—Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo—even though they listen to Slipknot and metalcore. “I don’t play that,” they laughed. “I’m not that cool.”

While staying in our shelter, music has been one way N copes with their feelings. “I've gotten a lot of help here. I've got a lot of resources. I feel like I can do a lot more than I used to be able to with… not just confidence, but like, standing up for myself and stuff like that, and talking to people. Just general social skills, which can still be difficult. But it's a work in progress.”

Right now, N’s working on getting their real ID so they can apply for jobs, and they just completed Goodwill’s YEPP camp. Next, they hope to get their CLEET certification so they can become a security guard.