Updated: Thu Nov. 05 2009 19:13:21

ctvwinnipeg.ca

At the age of 14 he went from living in a home in Winnipeg's South End to living underneath a bridge and no one reported him missing.

Adam Lambert, 24, lived underneath the Osborne Street Bridge as a young teenager, leaving behind a troubled family life.

His mom left when he was young and life with his father was rough so he ran away.

"My dad disappeared and then no one came and picked me up from the streets and that was it. I was on the streets," said Lambert.

Along with sleeping underneath a bridge, he also slept in a stairwell to hide from gangs.

He doesn't believe anyone ever reported him missing and truancy officers didn't have a parent to call.

Probe Research compiled a report from the Department of Education last year and it found school attendance policies are not consistent throughout the province, recommending officials better track enrolment and attendance. Government officials tell CTV News they're working on the recommendations.

Lambert eventually managed to get off the streets.

He now works as a bicycle repair mechanic and has turned his life around.

"It totally boosted my confidence to actually have some cash in my pocket once in awhile," says Lambert.

He now shares his story about losing almost a decade of his life to the streets with other kids through Resource Assistance for Youth (RAY).

While he's hopeful about the future, he remains guarded.

"I'm always prepared to hit the streets again. I'm one pay cheque away from being homeless like many people are," he says.

Lambert hopes to return to school and eventually pursue a career in the military.

- with a report from CTV's Susan Tymofichuk