Xavier grew up in Puyallup, WA. When he turned eighteen and became a legal adult, he had to leave his house so that his family could stay on their Section 8 voucher. Xavier became homeless and moved to Seattle in search of resources. Xavier came to the Y and enrolled in an employment program and was housed within one week. He lived in two of the Y’s transitional houses for a period of nine months. Xavier is currently stably housed in an apartment of his own in South King County and works for a community center as a youth mentor.

Xavier is living independently because of community support. Help more kids like Xavier by listening to his song.

UNHEARD Xavier and ParisAlexa

Artist ParisAlexa

ParisAlexa is Seattle’s hip-hop and R&B star on the rise. Parisalexa says she was born singing and that she was influenced by the music she heard from her parents growing up. Over the past two years her notoriety has bloomed locally and with an album, Bloom and an EP, Flexa, she’s just getting started.

ParisAlexa partnered with the Y and Xavier to help raise the voices of homeless youth in Seattle.

Peace By ParisAlexa

Peace

Yea
18 years old, outside in the cold
Where I was wasn’t better
In this stormy weather
Thought I was alone,
Till I found a new home
I was given a treasure, nothing else can measure
I found a place that told me I could
Stand on my own
Make something for myself
And it was always inside of me all along
Now I’m spreading the good
And I thank you for all of your help
And it still raining
But I can’t feel it no more
Since you opened your door for me
And it still pouring
But I’m safe in my bed
Cause I’ve got a roof on my head
Finally I can sleep
You gave me peace

Thank you for what you’ve given me
Thank you for believing in me
Thank you for what you’ve given me
Thank you for believing in me
Thank you for what you’ve given me
Thank you for believing in me

Finally I can sleep
You gave me peace
You gave me peace
Now it’s my turn
To carry on the lesson learned
I gotta share my blessing
It’s time to send a message
There’s so many like my former self
They just need a place to go for help
I gotta tell them about it
Wouldn’t be where I am without
Without a place that told me I could
Stand on my own
Make something for myself
And it was always inside of me all along
Now I’m spreading the good
And I thank you for all of your help
And it still raining
But I can’t feel it no more
Since you opened your door for me
And it still pouring
But I’m safe in my bed
Cause I’ve got a roof on my head
Finally I can sleep
You gave me peace

Thank you for what you’ve given me (I just want to thank you)
Thank you for believing in me (I just want to thank you)
Thank you for what you’ve given me (Want to say thank you)
Thank you for believing in me (I just want to thank you)
Thank you for what you’ve given me - woo
Thank you for believing in me (I just want to thank you)

Finally I can sleep
You gave me peace