My name is Richard and I'm 14 yrs. old. I want to tell you my story.
When I was about eight, my mother wanted to put her boys in a program that would keep us out of trouble. My mother talked to Freddy (BUILD's Executive Director) and decided to put us into the BUILD - Teen Reach program because she liked what the program had to offer.
So we started the program and I must say there was many things I didn't like - like doing homework and following rules and a schedule. I wasn't to keen on rules and I wouldn't take anything from anyone - I would gladly take a beat down versus punking out. But there was others things that I enjoyed, like sports and making friends.
By the time I was 12 some things had happened and we were no longer going to the program. I pretty much stayed out for about a year. And in that year I ended up doing a lot of bad things. I didn't want to be home, so I would leave and hang outside - the streets. I didn't do my schoolwork and the people I was hanging with weren't about anything positive and got me smoking and I no longer had respect for my parents, teachers or anyone else. Then there came a point that I realized that I was doing all these things because I wasn't involved in anything positive.
So, I got to thank my parents for always trying to get me to see that there is a better life then the streets, and the staff of Teen Reach for not giving up on me. You see, I'm 14 and I will be going to high school, and my grades, well I finally saw D's and F's turn into B's and C's, because I did the homework, and what I didn't understand, the program, my parents, my school, all helped me understand. I actually like math and computers and think I have a future in becoming a Computer Technician. I've also realized that inside of me lives a teacher, and everyday at the program I try to help others with the rules and how to control their temper and encourage them to do their work. Cause once the work is done, the other activities are more fun and rewarding than life on the streets.
Now that I realize that there is no stopping me. I know that one day I will be famous and help my community and the youth stay out of trouble because I will be a role model that will inspire others.