I’m gonna be honest with you readers, just recently I have been frustrated. I have been speaking out about different subjects that are close to my heart and whilst many people support what I am saying, I also have people that are not so happy with the things I say. The truth hurts I guess….
Author: outoftheshadows18
My name is Kendra Houseman. I have been involved with Gangs, Exploitation and CSE for over 26 years on many different levels. I am originally from South West London. A complicated background, living in an inner-city estate, and a lack of communication between adults are just some of the factors that lead to me having to make some life changing choices starting at the age of 11. These choices led to many consequences and created “Blondy” the name and person I was known as on the streets of SW London.
4 o’clock in the morning
It was 4 in the morning and it was cold. Of course, it was cold, it was 4 in the morning! It was around Feb/March times. It was a few weeks before her 14 birthdays. She shivered and looked down at her trainers. Nike air Jordan’s, pure white, got them the day before….. They were…
“Could Margate be the new Rochdale?”
“Could Kent be the new Rochdale?” The Gurdian Well my little OttS (Out of the Shadows shortened. I think I like it)… For once that strap line above is not just my opinion but other peoples! I kid you not, when my boss sent this to me you could have heard a pin drop as…
A ray of Sunshine..
People often say that my blogs are very heavy or show the dark side of gangs, child sexual exploitation and county lines. In my defence, there is often not I can write about that is fun and giggles. But…I do see where people are coming from. And then, as if the gods heard the pleas…this…
“Look whos back…back again”
Well… to say that some people were upset by my last blog may be a bit of an understatement. People got a tad upset that I suggested that when non-selective schools talk about gang’s people were either ignoring it or saying the problem was being exaggerated or didn’t exist altogether. Yet…when a selective school (In…
Last blog ever?
I am gonna be real with you all, this may be my last blog. Not because I want to stop writing…. more that people aint going to like what I am about to say. But I am going to say it anyway. Why? Because someone has to I guess. So, I think people are aware…
The REAL last day of school….
When people think about the last day of school before the summer holidays, I’m sure thoughts of kids wearing non-uniform for the day and teachers going on their work do’s spring to mind. For many, the last day for the summer holidays is something to look forward to and celebrate. If you work in pastoral…
I have found my voice…
For some people, being part of a Podcast may not be a big deal. It may be, to some people, just something they have done. Let me be clear… the Podcast in the link at the end of my blog today is a BIG deal to me. I have never done one before. I have…
Perpetrator and a victim?
I was asked a question yesterday. “Do you think that all young people involved with gangs are victims?”. The answer left my mouth before the question was finished. “Yes”. Now, let’s get some perspective on this. If your child was harmed due to gang violence you would struggle to ever see the perpetrator as a…
“Sometimes I’m suicidal, the fight with the mind it’s a battle for survival”
Before we get started, the above line is not about me…calm down and big love for those who reached for their phones to text me. If I was feeling like that, I would tell someone. I learnt that lesson the hard way. This is about someone else… I woke this morning to find a message…
Out of the Shadows 