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Miguel or "Miggy" Ayala

My name is Miguel Ayala, but I also respond to the name of Michael. I'm 21 years old. I was born two months prematurely, yet I am very intelligent and I am a twin! I once lived with my mom and dad, and then due to various circumstances, I entered foster care from age three to 21 years old. While in care, I wrote for Represent Magazine. I have lived in The Bronx my whole life. I want to be a social worker. I am also a poet and songwriter, and have been writing for magazines for kids in foster care for the past few years. At the moment I am working on getting my GED. I like to write poetic words.

Interesting Fact: I am a fraternal twin, meaning we are not supposed to look alike, but if you looked at my brother and I, you would swear we are identical.

Story Description: Young, Mentally Ill and Homeless
Miguel has struggled to find a safe and supportive place to live for many years. He's aged out of the foster care system, but still needs help as he's also dealing with mental illness issues. But the system is frustrating for Miguel. He moves from shelters, to the street, to his girlfriend's apartment, to assisted living environments, to hospitals, but has not managed to find a place to call home.

Miguel's Mentor:

Jamie York's radio career began at Sound Portraits, where he helped Produce the Youth Portraits series and The Execution Tapes. More recently, he was the New York Coordinator for The Sonic Memorial Project and taught the last group (Midwood) of Radio Rookies. Before finding radio, Jamie graduated from the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, taught in the South Bronx and in Chinatown and worked for the Prisoner's Rights Project. His radio work has aired on All Things Considered, This American Life, The Savvy Traveler, Day to Day, American Radio Works and The Next Big Thing. He was a recipient of an emerging leader grant from the Ford Foundation.

Interesting Fact: As a child, I had a pet goat named Thor.