The
story of Michael
He
was one of 6 that arrived from the group home. All we knew was that his
name was Michael, he was 18, and was considered at-risk and hard core.
From the very beginning he resisted most of what we asked him to do in
the workshop, he rarely participated in any of the processes, and his
behavior was disruptive to the other students. By the end of the first day we
could see no signs of improvement and any attempt to help him was
repudiated.
When he
returned the next day we knew he wanted what we had to offer or he
wouldn't have come back, so we said good morning and told him we were
happy to see him again. With a half smile he replied with a grunt. The
second day of the AYM program is all about understanding and being
honest with your feelings and emotions, and it took everything Michael
had in him to sit through it. At one crucial point he couldn't take it
anymore and bolted out of the room. As one of our coaches talked with
him outside they noticed something shifting in Michael, a spark of hope
and a deep desire to make a change.
During
lunch he asked to speak with us. As he began talking we noticed that
there was something different about him, his features appeared softer
and his tone of voice was void of attitude. He proceeded to apologize
for his behavior over the last two days and said he realized that there
was something special about this program, and that because we were not
judging him he felt safe to tell us his story. As we listened to what he
shared we understood the depth of his anger. A life of abandonment,
abuse, gangs, drugs and homelessness spiraling him into suicide attempts
and eventually an arrest that got him off the streets and into the
group home. His authentic sharing touched all of our hearts. Knowing
that giving back is a way to heal, we asked him if he wanted to help
others in the next workshop, and he said, "could I?" We explained that
he had to stick with the full AYM program for at least another month,
set goals and complete them, stay clean, and make all of his calls to
his coach. Only then could he receive his certificate of completion,
which would make him eligible to be an angel, which is a volunteer for
our program.
Now, more than three
years later, Michael has volunteered at most of the AYM workshops we've
done in his area and the kids love him. He said that AYM ignited a
desire to give back and help others and it also motivated him to get his
GED, (which he earned in just 2 months after the workshop) and enroll in the
local community college where he is focusing on getting his degree in
Sociology. He is now a peer counselor at TAY Tunnel, a place for young
adults like himself to get the help and resources they need to be an
active member in their community. He recently won the "Peace Maker"
award from the City of Oxnard, CA. for his work in the community
speaking to at-risk youth about staying out of trouble. He says he wants
to, "Help the young kids so they don't make the same mistakes I did."
Michael feels great remorse for what he did in the
past, and is grateful for the people at AYM who helped him "learn to
feel" again. He said that during the program, especially during a
process called crossing the line, he realized that, "you can't change
what was, but you can make amends, let go of the past, and take
responsibility for your future."
