A KID WITH A CAUSE : A homeless youngster--tired of relying on others--takes his case to the L.A. Council.

Segura Williams was kind of nervous Wednesday morning as he climbed out of his dusty tent at the city’s urban campground for the homeless. He found his cleanest clothes, combed his curly black hair and made sure that his sneakers were securely tied before heading out for a 30-minute walk from the compound at 320 S. Santa Fe Ave. to Los Angeles City Hall.

There, for the fourth time in as many weeks, Segura, 13, told City Council members about conditions at the camp, also known as “Tent City.”

Segura has lived out of a pickup truck and station wagon for the last 36 days with his mother, four cousins and nine brothers and sisters. They said they left their five-bedroom home in Louisiana last month to escape death threats from Segura’s father.

The eighth-grade student said he is tired of relying on others to fight for the homeless. And he said he is determined not to let society forget about his family and the estimated 600 other people at the temporary campground--particularly the more than 75 children there.

As part of this effort, Segura has formed a group at the camp, which he calls “Kids Helping Each Other.”

At first, about 50 children belonged to the group, which walks city streets collecting donations--a little money, but mainly clothing and food--from individuals and businesses. But in recent weeks, the group’s numbers have dwindled to about six youngsters.

Segura said the others were scared off by adults at the camp who warned that the children might be taken away from their parents if outsiders became aware of the youngsters’ hardships.

But Segura has not given up. For one thing, he and his friends have helped arrange daily breakfasts to supplement the dinner provided at the camp.

“So what if other kids now make fun of me sometimes,” he said. “We need so much help. The problem is not going to go away unless we do something about it. Us kids can make a difference. We want to help our families get out of here into permanent houses.”

Mother at His Side

With his pregnant mother, Beatty, 39, at his side, Segura urged City Council members Wednesday to find a permanent solution to the homeless problem.

“They won’t give us no cots or tents,” Segura said during a two-minute speech from hand-written notes.

“I hope you will help us in getting homes. And our main objective is to get us out of this environment and into homes. It’s not right for anyone to live like this.”

Back at Tent City, Segura sat on a dirty mattress, looking confused.

“Don’t the young people have a right to be heard?” he asked. “Why do we have to suffer because of politics? Why does the government help people in other countries and won’t help the homeless in America?

‘Shouldn’t Have to Worry’

“Kids like me shouldn’t have to worry about feeding ourselves and housing ourselves. We should be able to play where there isn’t glass and dirt and weird people all around,” he said, pounding a fist on a knee.

Segura said he was disappointed when he had a chance meeting recently with Mayor Tom Bradley at City Hall after Segura had addressed the council. He said the mayor “ignored him.”

“It wasn’t good. He shook my hand, and 20 seconds later, just walked away. He looked sort of surprised to see this homeless kid at City Hall,” he said. “All I wanted to do was to tell him what it is like in the campground, what we kids have to put up with. I know he’s a busy man, but I wish he’d care a little more.”

A spokeswoman for the mayor’s office said Wednesday that the mayor will visit the camp sometime soon to talk to Segura and other children.

Proud of His Efforts

Meanwhile, Segura’s mother said she is proud of her son’s efforts.

“If no one will listen to the parents, maybe people will listen to the kids,” she said. “Kids don’t lie. They tell it as it is. I’ve always told my children to speak up for what they believe, even if it makes for trouble. If everyone stays silent, we’ll get nowhere.”