THEIR STORIES

The following are examples of just some of the stories that make up the lives of young people who come to Choices.

David's Story

David is a young man who connected with Choices through the Young Men’s Shelter. Since 2004, David has had multiple intakes into the shelter due to the breakdown of his housing arrangements. These have involved a variety of complex issues, including periods of incarceration. Since meeting David, he has articulated a clear desire to connect with supports as a means of having a place ‘to belong’. Despite David’s willingness to connect with staff, the lack of a supportive and affordable housing option means David continues to struggle with addressing key issues in his life, such as proper nutrition and self-care.

Katie's Story

She was only 12 years old but Katie's relationship with her mother was so strained that the young girl pleaded to be placed in foster care.

It didn't work out as she hoped. For four years, Katie moved in and out of a succession of foster homes and detention centres. At 16, she left her school and her foster home and, before long, she was living on the streets and had turned to drugs. Angry, frustrated and sometimes scared and hungry, Katie didn't know where to turn for help.

The turning point for Katie came when she got involved with Choices for Youth. Katie was referred to the Youth at Promise Program, a basic math and literacy skills program administered by Choices and run by the Community Youth Network.

The very successful program is designed for youth who have not done well in a traditional classroom setting but want to continue their education. The first person Katie was introduced to in the program was Paul, a retired teacher. “When I met Katie, she was very angry,” recalls Paul. “She stormed out, and that was the last I saw of her for a full year.”

Looking back, Katie recognizes that she really was not ready to face her challenges. It took time, but eventually she decided to get on with making some changes in her life. She came back to see Paul. “He was easy to talk to, he listened to me. I hadn’t really been in school for longer than a few months at a time since I was 12. If it wasn’t for Paul, I couldn’t have done it.”

“She’s the one who had the courage to decide to make the changes,” says Paul about Katie’s success in the program, “and to her credit, she did it.”

Two years later Katie comes across as a confident, well-spoken, charming young woman who has gained tremendous wisdom from all the challenges that life has thrown in her direction. “I’m happier now,” she smiles. “And I’m going somewhere. I’m determined.”

In fact, doors are already opening for Katie. Over the past eight months, she has been working at a local community centre through a youth-employment program run by the St. Francis Foundation. She is preparing to take a high school equivalency program and then plans to earn a college diploma in Community Recreation and Leadership.

Reflecting on her experience, Katie passes along this piece of advice for others in her situation:  “Reach out,” she urges. “Asking for help is one of the most important things you can do. Programs like Choices are there to help you and give you hope – you just need to ask.”

Information derived from first-hand interviews with Katie, as well as information from CBC News.

IN THEIR WORDS

The following are stories and essays submitted by youth who have participated in Choices’ programs – their own stories in their own words.

A New Me

Remembering my years in school is like a nightmare all over again. Even though I was capable in reading and math, the traditional school system just wasn't right for me.

There were many different roadblocks that I encountered through grades six to nine. The main thing was that I had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and wasn’t being medicated. So when the time came for me to stay put in classes, I would become restless. When that happened I’d find something to occupy myself. Many times this would disrupt the other students, because the teacher had to stop teaching the class to try to put me in line.

Another contributing factor to my struggles at school was my home situation. I had a difficult time trying to keep them both separated. So, whenever I had problems at home, I wouldn’t feel like going to school and would skip off. That was only making things worse for me in the long run. When I would get called to see the Guidance Counselor about it, she seemed to always make things worse for me. The next day it started all over again.

What helped me get through all that was reading every time I felt upset or felt as though I just couldn’t get ahead, I’d pick up a book. It was like I was there in the story watching it play out as I read. My self-esteem would be so much better; I knew I could get through all of my troubles.

For the last year and a half I have been involved in an educational upgrading program called Youth at Promise. It is for people who need to get up to speed in their studies so they can go back to school and be successful. Also, I have been a participant in a Skills Link Canada program called Youth Are Working run by the St. Francis Foundation. We were partnered with Gonzaga High School so that the participants could complete the same Career Pathways course that they teach in that school. And, as a result of that for the first time in Canada, we were all awarded four high school credits upon completion of the program.

All of my accomplishments have given me the confidence to go back to school. As of today I am on the waiting list at the College of The North Atlantic. I am going so that I can complete my high school. I am enrolling in the Adult Basic Education (A.B.E.) Course at level III.

I know that this time I am fully prepared and I have the confidence to succeed. I know now that I can do it! And if I can, so can anyone else.

 

Poem by Ivan Snow

To those who gave me more than a chance
My heart and soul could
Never fully extend the
Gratitude for all of those
Who put up with my
colourful attitude, all those
times I was so cruel
and rude, thanks for
seeing through the pain
and the hurt even for
simple things such as
food or a shirt.

So much kindness and
Generosity thrown my way,
This is my thank you
My eyes have opened
My insight with you
Your insight with me
Thank you for making
Me a man, making
Me see life is what
You make it, to see
An opportunity and
Take it.

Forever Grateful for
The chance to enhance,
Thank you to those who
Gave me more than a
Chance.

-Ivan Snow