I feel bad for this girl. Her mother is not keeping her home safe and stable for her children. What do you think?

My sisters and I have been going through a lot sometimes we have nothing to eat or we don’t know where next month’s rent is coming from. My mom and I work I’m only 16yrs old and my mom has this man who stole from me and it hurt me so much he doesn’t have a job he just sits around and eat all the food. I really want to be a singer so my mom won’t have to work so hard and we can finally have a house and a car that runs. I HATE HER BOYFRIEND he hits her, yells at her, and makes her cook dinner after she gets off work. I’m tired of it I SAW him choke her I hear them yelling at night. I didn’t get a b-day party this year because of bills but frankly I don’t care about that. I care about my mom’s happiness I’ll pay for my own party if that’s what it takes but I’d rather help pay bills and put food on the table. But I feel like my dream of becoming a singer is not coming true because I have to fight for my family and me. Please help my family and I. WHAT SHOULD WE DO? SCARED AND DREAMLESS TEEN

This is the kind of common issue that is in our youth groups every day. They don't say it all out loud, but there are all of those elements. The first thing we do is give these kids people they can talk to..can trust. When a kid does say something about abuse, we are mandated reporters, we must report, yet we know the system is flawed, and we know the children can suffer. So we try to remain a resource not only to the child, but to the parent/s and families. Sometimes its just that knowledge a teen has that there is a safe place to get away and hang out, to forget, to get relief, to get homework done! And then there are workshops and such to help these kids learn how to take care of themselves, because the reality is, they need to know, as often they are more parental than the parents themselves.

Some people make me sick. My half brother and sister are in a bad way too. My mom isn't the richest lady in the world, so they have to live with their father (my ex-stepdad). My siblings have no friends because their dad spends all their money (including cable and electric bills) on weed. I can't count the times they've had to go to my mom's to eat or shower, or just to watch some TV. My mom can't really do anything about it because she has a lot of missed child support payments to this asshole. Sucks. A lot. I always told them if I came into a bunch of money, I'd buy my mom a house so they can live with her. Do to this shitty life style, my sister, 14, thinks she's fat and has low self-esteem. So I always try to give her words of encouragement to be herself, but she never really listens.

I hate neglectful parents who don't think of anyone but themselves.
[Edited 11/15/07 21:47pm]