We have many amazing youth who pass through our doors but this young man’s story is a one that exemplifies what happens when we truly reach a youth. Joe came to us about this time last year. He had been involved in multiple programs for many years and had become reliant on the system. With no family involved and no plan to become self-sufficient, he floundered and could not grasp the limitless possibilities that we saw for him. He is a kind, intelligent young man whose smile and laughter is contagious but that was not what he saw when he looked in the mirror.
Joe was part of our semi-independent program for nearly a year and received all the services that we provide each youth – counseling, educational advocacy, independent living skills training, recreational opportunities and unconditional support and guidance. We helped him get a job and get enrolled in a GED program. But still he struggled; it was difficult for him to remain motivated and believe in himself. Staff continued to support him and encourage him but it often fell on deaf ears – or so we thought.
Eventually it was time for Joe to leave the program and enter the real world as a young adult. His state worker discharged him from the “system” and he was on his own. We supported him through this transition and then stopped hearing from him. We continued to think about him and hoped that all was well. A few months later, a staff member walked into a restaurant to order food and there was Joe with a huge smile! It turns out that Joe had maintained his full-time job where he is thriving! He also secured an apartment with a positive peer, is in a healthy relationship, and is starting to save money for his future. All those conversations, on-going support, and life lesson stories did not fall on deaf ears! While he could not put them into action in our program, he was able to take what he learned at Hearts & Homes and apply it to the real world and be successful! This illustrates the profound impact we have on our kids, whether they show it or not in the moment, which is why we never give up!
Every young person’s story is different and they all have different needs, healing processes, and ways of feeling empowered. This is why we make every effort to provide each of the youth in our care with a variety of experiences, opportunities, and treatment programs, hoping that at least one will make the difference and help them get back on their feet and back on the right track.
Hearts & Homes for Youth has relied on support from the community since our inception in April of 1964. It was a donation shepherded by Avis Birely from the Montgomery County Council for $25,000 that was matched by the president of Rockville Crushed Stone, that got Hearts & Homes for Youth running, enabling us to serve abused, neglected, and traumatized youth, to help the survivors feel empowered, learn to make positive life choices, and build a new life for themselves.
These children are our future. We need to get them off the street, back in school, into vocational training programs, into safe and supportive homes, and we need them to know that we all care.