By Curt Williams, Founder & Executive Director
Born in Oakville, Tennessee in 2006, Jacob’s birth mother was involved in his life until he was 13. She was emotionally damaged and spent much of her time seeking ways to numb out. Addictions to painkillers and alcohol contributed to depression, and infidelity and violence finally destroyed her relationship with his father. Jacob hasn’t heard from his mom in over five years and has no idea where she might be.
His father was Canadian and had a vague and aloof relationship with his own father. He worked here and there until landing a job with an American railroad company, somewhat settling in Tennessee. Due to the nature of railroad work, Jacob’s father was often gone for long periods while he was young, leaving him with his disconnected and numb mother. Early on, Jacob did not view his father as a caring dad, but as the punisher and the one who brought correction. This perception caused constant friction between the two of them.
Child Protective Services often got involved, and custody issues brought about stress until Jacob’s mom gave up and walked away. Jacob’s dad took him to Louisville, Kentucky in hopes of a new start, but there was nothing new about their relationship. Eventually, the railroad work led them to Plano, Texas where Jacob was left with his dad’s girlfriend for long periods. He was physically cared for, but emotionally he felt abandoned. Fighting and stress, and an addiction to pornography, led Jacob into a downward spiral of ever-increasing poor behaviors.
Jacob at 15, just a few days after entering Youth-Reach.
Without adult supervision, without a present male role model, without structure, and without hope, Jacob’s condition deteriorated. His father began an online search for a cost-free option for help for his son, where he came upon Youth-Reach Houston. Jacob applied in August 2020 and was admitted to Youth-Reach on October 21 of the same year. I was there the day he came in, and when the papers were signed and his father was preparing to leave to return to Plano, he asked if we could walk out towards the pond and talk a minute. I certainly obliged, and what he said shocked me: “I won’t be back. He’s better off here than he is with me. I’m not good at being a dad, and that’s what you guys do.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. As a dad of seven children, I could not imagine making that decision or even uttering those words, but as I have shared with Jacob, those were not the words of a deadbeat dad. Those were not the words of a man looking to shirk his responsibilities. Those words did not flow out easily, but with the pain of a man admitting that he needed help; help that he was not able to provide. At that moment I found respect for Jacob’s father.
Jacob has gone through some excruciatingly painful emotional trials here at Youth-Reach. He had to take a stark look at who he was. He had to discover, with humility, what it is to receive unconditional love and acceptance. The deep scars of abandonment, anger and isolation had taken a toll, and yet he began to listen to the Holy Spirit. On May 26, 2021, with Jarod Dyess, Jacob surrendered to Jesus and repented of his sins, repented of his attempts to save himself, and repented of trying to be his own god. This broken boy began a long journey to true manhood; taking on the image and likeness of Christ under the tutelage of his true Father.
Jacob has been with us for over three years. He is in no hurry to leave, and we are certainly in no hurry to see him go. He is a servant and a humble leader in the home. He has participated in our on-site high school and is also attending classes at San Jacinto Junior College. He recently turned 18 years old, and we made sure that he had an extended weekend when we celebrated all that is Jacob. He is an example of YOUR INVESTMENT. Jacob is an example of what and who you invest in when you financially and prayerfully invest in Youth-Reach.
