JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- On any given day in Jacksonville, there are 350 children left homeless. They end up on the streets for various reasons. Some of them are dealing with loss.
Rakeisha Murray became homeless after her mother was murdered in 2013. She turned to Daniel Kids, a safe haven that she says saves lives.
On July 7, 2013, the body of 34-year-old Keisha Murray was spotted in plain view under a tree at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The mother of five was murdered and her killer is still at large.
"My little sisters, they don't really remember her much so it doesn't really affect them at all,” Rakeisha Murray said. “My brother, he took it really hard. My [older] sister, she has her own method of coping with it. She's not a very emotional person."
Murray who is now 19 years old lost her mother at age 15 and by 16 she was on her own.
“She was one of the most loving people in my life and I lost that,” Murray said.
It's a frightening reality for far too many children left without guidance, safe housing and the resources needed to survive.
"There's even a sex trade out there that many of these children find themselves into simply to try to survive,” said James Clark, Daniel Kids President and CEO. “They need somebody to be able to give them that helping hand."
The oldest children's agency in the state of Florida has a lengthy waiting list with kids wanting to walk through their doors, off the streets and out of harm’s way.
"Staying with a lot of people I felt like they were trying to get something out of me but I'm coming to you for help there isn't really much I can give," Murray said.
Through Daniel Kids, Murray says she found safety, help and in time she found herself.
"We help them get into school, we help them kind of overcome those things that a parent typically would be helping their children with," Clark said.
Murray is now in school studying to be a social worker with plans to restore in others what was once stolen from her.
"I just want to be able to talk to girls and whoever I can and let them know that when things are bad there are other alternatives to situations you don't have to stay where you are," Murray said.
Daniel Kids offers a variety of services including housing, foster care and educational resources. The number to call if you’re in need of help or if you’d like to learn more is 904-296-1055.
Keisha Murray’s murder is still unsolved. If you have any helpful information you’re urged to please call crime stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.