Youth Stories
As I entered into high school the first two years became a blur to me. I was facing many challenges and pressures. By my third year I gave into the pressures. I dropped out of school with some friends and we would drink and smoke up everyday. This caused me to loose interest in life. I tried more and more drugs and alcohol. I knew Frederick from Liberty for a couple of years and I knew he cared about young people. I knew I needed help but I was too scared to ask for it. One day when Frederick asked me how things were going with my future plans I knew it was the chance to get help.
I spent several months in Liberty’s character development program, where I learned many skills such as anger management, goal setting, managing finance and others. Before starting Liberty I had no money saved and had a debt of over $3000.00. Now, just five months into the program I have worked my way down to $2847.00 in debt and $1000.00 in investments. One day I want to buy a home.
I spent several months in Liberty’s character development program, where I learned many skills such as anger management, goal setting, managing finance and others. Before starting Liberty I had no money saved and had a debt of over $3000.00. Now, just five months into the program I have worked my way down to $2847.00 in debt and $1000.00 in investments. One day I want to buy a home.
Chris
I was in the hall of main street court when my friend and I saw this man providing information to some young people for support and telling them many ways they can get help. At first I didn’t want to talk to anyone about getting help but my girlfriend encouraged me to talk the man. The man gave me a program brochure and asked me to come out to the programs that help youth in trouble with the law.
About 2 weeks later I decided to visit the program. The first day at the program was great we played board games, hung out, had dinner and they where teaching about self esteem. One of the program coordinators took my personal information and created a resume for me the same day. About 2 weeks after getting my resume done I was called for an interview for a job but I didn’t have any money to get to the interview. I called Liberty For Youth and asked if they could provide bus fair for me and they dropped off bus fair. That day I went to the interview and I got it.
About 2 weeks later I decided to visit the program. The first day at the program was great we played board games, hung out, had dinner and they where teaching about self esteem. One of the program coordinators took my personal information and created a resume for me the same day. About 2 weeks after getting my resume done I was called for an interview for a job but I didn’t have any money to get to the interview. I called Liberty For Youth and asked if they could provide bus fair for me and they dropped off bus fair. That day I went to the interview and I got it.
Ryan
Prior to being incarcerated I met a friend at school and he told me about Liberty For Youth and how they were really helping him. At first I thought he was just nagging me but afterwards I witnessed changes in his life.
After coming out of incarceration I started visiting Liberty’s Character and Leadership programs.
Through the program I went back to school. I already attended 4 different Hamilton high schools in 6 years but this time was different. I started and finished. I graduated. I was proud and I had a right to be. I started working fulltime.
Six months later because of my accomplishments I was given a trophy at the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. Then, Frederick took me to RBC Bank where I got some credit counseling and I opened my first investment account. With their support I finally paid off all my debts. Life is good.
After coming out of incarceration I started visiting Liberty’s Character and Leadership programs.
Through the program I went back to school. I already attended 4 different Hamilton high schools in 6 years but this time was different. I started and finished. I graduated. I was proud and I had a right to be. I started working fulltime.
Six months later because of my accomplishments I was given a trophy at the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. Then, Frederick took me to RBC Bank where I got some credit counseling and I opened my first investment account. With their support I finally paid off all my debts. Life is good.
Jay
My family and I lived in TO. I started getting into problems with the law but I didn’t go to jail or court. We ended up moving to Hamilton when I was 14. I made up my mind before leaving to come to Hamilton to get arrested so I would get to go back to Toronto.
But everything started to take a turn for the worst when I came here. I started selling drugs, getting involved with guns and a whole lot of things. I went to a new school and I met a guy who introduced me to Fredrick, and from then everything kept getting better. Fredrick told me about Liberty For Youth and how they help a lot of youth. The thing I liked about Liberty is that…they actually really cared. They would go out of their way and help so many young people, and that caught my eye.
But everything started to take a turn for the worst when I came here. I started selling drugs, getting involved with guns and a whole lot of things. I went to a new school and I met a guy who introduced me to Fredrick, and from then everything kept getting better. Fredrick told me about Liberty For Youth and how they help a lot of youth. The thing I liked about Liberty is that…they actually really cared. They would go out of their way and help so many young people, and that caught my eye.
Greg
The past few years I have been angry and unhappy living a rebellious lifestyle, I had been so mislead by movies, friends, and just about my overall environment. This negative lifestyle led me to be incarcerated. It was then a friend of mine told me about Liberty for Youth. Frederick mentored me through the Liberty for Youth principals of 7 R’s of Restoration. My favorite step was #6 Reintegration. Through the Liberty for Youth reintegration program they provided school enrollment assistance, living arrangements, employment advocacy, positive role models, family links, faith connections, recreational activities and others. I am finally completing my high school diploma and I will be starting college in the coming September. I am so excited about what my future has in store now that I actually have a future..
Eric
To be honest I’m not like many of the other youth in the programs. I was never in prison nor was I in any gangs. That has never been my problem; my issue was that I was starting to dislike the police because of some family issues. Someone really close to me in my family was always getting arrested. They always seemed to be in and out of prison. As soon as we starting building our relationship they would get locked up again. I became frustrated with this family member, and also developed mixed emotions for the police and the justice system. I told Frederick about my problem and he asked me if I would be willing to have lunch with a police officer. He told me about the Liberty For Youth and Police Lunch Program at East Side Mario’s. I ask him how much it would cost and he said it’s free. I thought to myself FREE FOOD?! TRUST ME IM IN! LET’S GO!
So for the past year I have been meeting with Sgt. Rod Allison for lunch once a month. He has helped me see that Police officers are real people that really care about youth and society. I enjoyed it a lot because it felt good to talk to someone who’s important and that is very smart. Honestly, it made me feel special because Officer Rob listened to me and he showed he cared. Also it was cool getting picked up in his police car at my school. Everyone would stare at me and ask me questions about what was going on…it felt nice lol. I really consider it a privilege because not a lot youth have been able to do this.
In September this year Frederick invited me to a Police Meeting where I got to meet the Chief of the Police. I was nervous at first but after talking to him I found out that he’s is a very nice man. Now, my perspective on police officers has changed. Now, my dream is to become a police officer and eventually become the Chief of Police.
I want to thank Liberty For Youth for making this possible for me and helping me realize my dream.
So for the past year I have been meeting with Sgt. Rod Allison for lunch once a month. He has helped me see that Police officers are real people that really care about youth and society. I enjoyed it a lot because it felt good to talk to someone who’s important and that is very smart. Honestly, it made me feel special because Officer Rob listened to me and he showed he cared. Also it was cool getting picked up in his police car at my school. Everyone would stare at me and ask me questions about what was going on…it felt nice lol. I really consider it a privilege because not a lot youth have been able to do this.
In September this year Frederick invited me to a Police Meeting where I got to meet the Chief of the Police. I was nervous at first but after talking to him I found out that he’s is a very nice man. Now, my perspective on police officers has changed. Now, my dream is to become a police officer and eventually become the Chief of Police.
I want to thank Liberty For Youth for making this possible for me and helping me realize my dream.
Juniour
Up until 2 summers ago, I did have the opportunity to see my dad every other weekend, but because he was in and out of jail, I often could not see him. He was addicted to drugs, and was getting arrested frequently for drug possession. Because of this, he was eventually deported to his country of birth, which hurt me a lot. That hurt me a lot because we had a close relationship. I did look up to him for guidance and direction. I was lonely, and even though I did not see him continuously, our love for each other was strong. We did a lot of things together, like playing cards, watching movies, and especially fishing. He always tried his hardest to be a good dad to me, and that is what I really appreciated about him. When he was deported it really took a part of me.
I felt like I had to do more as in taking a fathers place in the family. When my dad got deported I started making bad decision. For example doing drugs, I used to swear a lot, and I wasn’t concentrating in school. At home, I wasn’t listening to my mom. I was just making things more stressful for her then they already were. I was just getting more and more disobedient.
Thankfully, one day I was invited to the Liberty program. At first I thought, wow I get to go to the YMCA for free and play basketball indoors. I love sports so it got my interest.
I started going to the program more and more, and I really started liking it. I started to attend Liberty’s Character Development program and Leadership Awareness, where I learned many skills such as anger management, goal setting, managing finance and others. I was doing very well with the program, then I was rewarded with shoes and an opportunity to play on Liberty For Youth’s basketball team. Also Liberty rewarded me with my very first dress suit. Because of all this encouragement and close mentorship I received from Liberty, last semester in school, I had my best semester ever. I had the best marks I had ever achieved in High School, maintaining an 80% average. Thanks to Liberty For Youth, I now have hope for the future. My goal is to go to college and I will be the first person if my family to go to college. This program changed my life, and I recommend any youth to come to the program.
I felt like I had to do more as in taking a fathers place in the family. When my dad got deported I started making bad decision. For example doing drugs, I used to swear a lot, and I wasn’t concentrating in school. At home, I wasn’t listening to my mom. I was just making things more stressful for her then they already were. I was just getting more and more disobedient.
Thankfully, one day I was invited to the Liberty program. At first I thought, wow I get to go to the YMCA for free and play basketball indoors. I love sports so it got my interest.
I started going to the program more and more, and I really started liking it. I started to attend Liberty’s Character Development program and Leadership Awareness, where I learned many skills such as anger management, goal setting, managing finance and others. I was doing very well with the program, then I was rewarded with shoes and an opportunity to play on Liberty For Youth’s basketball team. Also Liberty rewarded me with my very first dress suit. Because of all this encouragement and close mentorship I received from Liberty, last semester in school, I had my best semester ever. I had the best marks I had ever achieved in High School, maintaining an 80% average. Thanks to Liberty For Youth, I now have hope for the future. My goal is to go to college and I will be the first person if my family to go to college. This program changed my life, and I recommend any youth to come to the program.
Brian
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