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
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