Dear Friends,

Let’s start with an image of a big, deep hole. Where did it come from and how did our YOOP participant end up in it? Did they dig it and then fall in? Did they stumble in by mistake when looking the other way? Did they get a big push from someone who turned out not to be a friend?

No matter how hard they try they can’t get out on their own. Our Youth Opportunity (YOOP) participants are brave and resilient! They have decided to change the trajectory of their life! YOU help build the ladder rung by rung that lets them climb out!

From Hoodlum to Responsible Adult (Katt’s Story)

I joined YOOP when I was a junior in high school. By that time, I had already attended 4-5 other high schools. I have a learning disability on top of ADHD, so I struggled with school my entire life, plus the moving around put me behind. I am not going to say that I had a horrible childhood because it definitely could have been worse. But I did struggle with a lot. I didn’t like authority figures that thought they could tell me what to do or thought they had any control over me. I was very aggressive and angry, having a lot of behavioral issues that made it difficult for me to make and keep friends. I developed horrible anxiety, borderline personality disorder, depression, and a few other mental illnesses that made schooling and everything else a lot harder. I had gone through a lot of horrible, scary, and traumatic things before I joined YOOP. I had very large walls up and put on a front that I was “scary and intimidating” so that no one would mess with me.

I had a very close friend who joined YOOP. They always talked about how great the program was, and how YOOP really goes out of their way to help you. I was 11 credits behind as a Junior and felt disappointed in myself, and very defeated, so I took the step and talked my mom into me joining YOOP.

The staff at YOOP treated me like family and showed me they really truly cared about me graduating and succeeding in life. I did not make things easy for YOOP, but they never gave up on me, ever. They took me in as a very, VERY damaged, untrusting, angry, and hopeless teenager, and turned me into an adult with an AMAZING work ethic, money management skills, and so much more hope for myself and my future. The staff, and even my peers in YOOP, believed in me and supported me the entire time. They saw something in me that I didn’t! It made me determined to be the best me I can be!

During my time at YOOP, they helped me get my GED, driver’s license, clothing, gas for my car, rent and/or bills money, food handlers card, legal name change, shelter, food, hygiene products, and so much more. They taught me things that public school did not. Financial literacy (an ENTIRE class!!), communication skills, problem-solving skills, resume, job interviews, LOTS of amazing work experience, and SO many more important life skills. They did all of this and also motivated and supported me to get my GED. If you are having any sort of issue and you bring it to YOOP’s attention, I promise you they will go above and beyond to either help you get your needs met or give you every single resource and piece of information you need to do it yourself. YOOP is NOT just for graduating, this program will help prepare you for this world. I can honestly say that I would NOT be where I am right now at 23 years old without YOOP. I’m a supervisor at a job! YOOP was one of my best decisions!

Holiday Blessings to you!  

Charlie Rice

Executive Director