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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2003)
r 'H J ; ü : ivi 4-1 mews junfl 6.2003 rowing up hasn’t been easy for But she doesn’t consider her contributions extraordinary. “I Nicki Baker-Cook. am helping friends," she says. “I “My life has been very.. .event- says the 18-year-old of her know how to navigate the serv- ices, and I have the skills to get personal struggle with homeless ness, teen pregnancy and domestic violence. ‘Tm things done.” always waiting for the other shoe to drop.” Her positive attitude and commitment to the community Things may have been difficult, but she has earned Baker-Cook recognition never given up. In fact, Baker-Cook has spent by the Multnomah Youth Com hundreds of hours volunteering her time to the mission, a group providing a by Jodi H elm er organizations that supported her through hard times. voice for young people in coun “When you’re living on the streets, people ty decisions that affect them are taking care of you," she says, referring to the and working to combat stereotypes that label "Anyone can be abu food, shelter, medical care and other resources kids as lazy or problematic. She was honored sive," says Baker-Cook, April 30 with the first-ever Jennifer Beegle she accessed. “1 was advocating for myself as who believes the percep Youth Involvement Award, which recognizes much as I was for anyone else. I was only giving tion that domestic vio back to the people who’ve given to me.” youth who create positive changes through vol- lence is always male-on- unteerism. It is named after a former commis For the past nine years Baker-Cook has vol female has created a gap in sion member who died in a 1996 car accident at unteered at numerous organizations, including services. “There aren’t a lot the Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Center, the age of 17. of groups out there for tirelessly advocating for kids like her. She organ queer youth. I was helping M ichelle Burke, an employment specialist izes sports and crafts programs for Portland Parks at Outside In, nominated Baker-Cook for the to provide much-needed and Recreation and maintains grounds for at- award. “She has a vibrant energy to her that support.” risk youth in Southeast Portland. She has really makes her stand out,” Burke says. "Peo During the week tutored students at Foothills Academy, helped ple respond to her confidence and leadership Baker-Cook can be found athletes train for the Special Olympics, pitched ability.” volunteering in the in to create Outside In’s Pride parade float and Burke says that until she sat down with Employment Resource spoken out about the effects of budget cuts on Bakcr-Gx)k to talk about her volunteer experi C en ter at Outside In, homeless youth. ence, she didn’t realize the extent and longevity where she helps kids work Lcxiking at her achievements, it’s easy to of her efforts. “She has done so much; it’s amaz on their resumes. “I advo believe Baker-Qxik can do anything she sets ing,” says Burke, who was at the ceremony the cate for a lot of youth,” her mind to. But things haven’t always been she says. “I know that 1 night Baker-Cook accepted the award. “She easy for the teen. took it all in stride.” can’t make a difference in When she was just 15, Baker-Cook left home Baker-Cook says she was surprised to learn everyone’s life, but if one to escape domestic violence. Her mother “didn’t she’d won the prestigious award. “I didn’t think or two people have a bet protect me because she didn’t want to admit it I’d done anything that special. I had no idea ter life because of me, Nicki Baker-Cook awaits presentation of the first-ever Jennifer was happening,” she says. “She sent me to live what a big deal it was until I got to the ceremo- then I’ve done my jo b.” Beegle Youth Involvement Award on April 3 0 at the Multnomah with my grandmother. I was ny. My name was on the cake!" Baker-Cook says many County Commission Boardroom really angry. I needed her to youth look to her as an "When you're living she adds. protect me.” A fter the cerem ony a example. “I’ve made a deep impact on some improving. “My mom and I are working through Their relationship became on the streets, people comm issioner asked Baker- people,” she says. “I’ve given them hope. They all of the things that have happened to us,” she even more distant when her look at me and think, ‘If she can do it, so can I.’ ” says. “W e’re starting to have a relationship.” Cook to join the county’s are taking care o f mom learned Baker-Cook was Almost four years after she first left home, board o f volunteers. “I was Though her family is still uncomfortable bisexual. “My mom found out you. I was advocating shocked,” she says. "But I’m Baker-Cook is busy settling into her new life. with her bisexuality, Baker-Cook says they seem when she heard me talking very interested.” After a high-risk pregnancy, she gave birth to be coming around. “They think it’s weird. But for m yself as much as about an ex-girlfriend,” she Perhaps her most significant April 16 to a healthy boy named Nicholas. my sister stuck up for me at school and my explains. “It was hard. 1 wasn’t accomplishments have been “He’s my little pumpkin angel,” she says, smil brother scopes chicks with me, so I think it’s I was for anyone else. with at-risk youth who, like ing at her newborn son. O n May 16 she mar going to be O K .” allowed to talk about it in front of my brother and sister. Life still isn’t easy. In addition to taking parent I was only giving back Baker-Cook, have had to over ried Nicholas’ father, Brian Cook, in the My mom was afraid I might come significant obstacles. “It’s courtyard at Outside In, where they met ing classes, participating in counseling sessions, to the people who've a lot easier to understand peo exactly a year ago. make them gay.” working to maintain stable housing and making After two years of moving ple who have been in your situ After taking a “Ready to R en t” class plans to attend Apollo G)llege this summer, Baker- given to m e." ation,” she says. “Especially around and living with several through Outside In, the couple secured fund Cook continues to find time for volunteering. — Nicki Baker-Cook when they’re your age.” different family members, ing from Teen Insights and moved into tran “Chaotic is the best environment for me,” W hile volunteering for sitional housing in Gresham three months Baker-Gxik decided she’d try she jokes. “I’m either busy or I’m bored.” JH ago. For the first time in years they have a SM YRC , Baker-Cook started a domestic vio to make it on her own, and for two years she was home of their own. homeless. Sleeping in shelters and getting by on lence support group for queer youth. Having JODI H elmer is a free'lance writer and editor. She been a victim of abuse herself, she understands “We have house keys,” she says, laughing. ftxxl stamps didn’t stop her from giving back to has never been nominated for an award, but you that services for sexual minority youth are “It’s weird.” her community. Despite her hardships, she con can m ake her feel like a winner by visiting lacking. Even her relationship with her family is tinued to volunteer. w ww .jodihelm er.com . P ositively I nspiring Portland teen wins award for volunteerism A , alternative Real estate experience with professionals that want your transactions to be hassle free. Let us help you fin d your happy place. 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