I was born in Pittsburgh to a single mother who didn’t know who my father was. I was put up for adoption after my biological mother couldn’t take care of me. After a while, I was adopted by a white family. Growing up, it seemed very normal, and I didn’t fully understand how abnormal people thought my situation was. I started facing racism from elementary teachers and peers. I was getting bullied because of my race and family. Then I started acting like an idiot and getting in trouble at school so other kids would like me. I started not paying attention in class, and my grades started dropping. My problems really started after my adoptive father died.
My mom was going through a lot financially, physically and mentally. I wasn’t making it easier on her. I started sneaking out, drinking, smoking, watching porn, abusing Adderall and nicotine. I got sent to rehab and when I was finishing my time there my mom showed me Youth-Reach Houston and asked if I would like to go there. I said yes, even though I didn’t want to go. After I got out of rehab, I felt even more depressed than I was going in. I went into rehab hoping for a change, but I felt the same and just as unfulfilled as before. It didn’t take long before I started doing the same things I was doing before I went to rehab.
It was about eight months before I entered Youth-Reach. I thought it was going to be easy and I could just fake it through my time here. But there was a rude awakening waiting for me. I was out of shape and lazy and that didn’t fit well with the daily schedule there. I wanted to quit so many times, but I also wanted something more in life, so I kept on going. After a while, I started climbing the level system and building relationships with staff. I felt the stern love of a father from the staff members, something I hadn’t felt in a while.
After a month and a half at Stage 2, I went to youth camp, and the atmosphere there was completely different than any camp I had been to before. I could feel the Holy Spirit working on me and the other youth there with me. I was still searching for fulfillment and felt that God was it. I continued to work with the staff that week until I was broken for my sins and the deeds I had committed. I decided it was time for my life to change. I gave my life to Jesus that week at youth camp. After camp, my faith was tested, and I’m still going through trials. Jesus has drastically changed my relationships with my siblings and mother for the better. I don’t know where I’d be without the men and women at Youth-Reach.
