At age 14 Blaise was homeless after dropping out of the ninth grade due to circumstances at home. At age 17 he was addicted to drugs and in jail in Syracuse, NY. After his release last October, his brother brought him to Virginia for a second chance at life.
Blaise had trouble staying clean and ended up back on the streets. A talented singer-songwriter, he made money playing guitar for strangers at the oceanfront of Virginia Beach. Exhausted and weary, a friend brought him to the Crow’s Nest, a drop-in center run by the Hampton Roads chapter of StandUp For Kids.
Outreach counselor (and current Executive Director) Mark Stevens told Blaise he would be there for him when he was ready to make changes in his life. Blaise continued to come to the Crow’s Nest week after week building trust and gaining confidence. He played guitar and sang to the other kids and a generous donor even provided him with a new guitar when his was run over by a car.
Mark got the call from Blaise in December that he was ready for help. There was space for him at a local shelter and Blaise started working hard to earn his GED and maintain his sobriety. Just three months later he passed the GED examination. On May 10 he received his GED certificate and preformed a song he wrote for the ceremony entitled My Dream. We are very proud of Blaise for all his hard work.
My Dream
Blaise Burns
I just can’t believe that I came this far
Never thought that I would make it
But I took a chance and I took a dive, opened up my eyes and saw myself shine
So day after day and time after time
I was just told that I won’t have a life
Time after time and day after day
I can see my future just soaring my way.
(chorus)
So I spread my wings and I’ll fly
I will walk on Everest lands and climb to the skies
So I spread my wings and fly
For I know my dreams alive….
It seems just like yesterday
All I wanted to do was run away
The only thing that scared me was the thought of life deep inside of me
But yet I stood up and raised my hands and let my voice be heard all across the lands
So day after day and time after time
I see all the hope and I call it mine
Time after time and day after day
I’ll fight like war and I’ll run all the way
(chorus)
So I spread my wings and I’ll fly
I will walk on Everest lands and climb to the skies
So I spread my wings and I’ll fly
For I know my dream’s alive
