Success Story

There is not a more invaluable gift than seeing a child awaken to the possibilities in their life. It is for that reason Peace4Kids is founded on the concept of choice. For one of our youth this notion was a difficult concept to grab but once he got it, his possibilities have become unparalleled.

We are accustomed to the defiant nature of youth living in group homes. This time though we were taking on a group of 10 boys, all under the age of twelve, from a group home in Compton. As we presented the program at our orientation, surprisingly the boys were very receptive to what we were offering them… that is all except one.

“So you said that you guys believe in choice right?” The question came from a boy who had been quietly sitting in the corner. “Absolutely,” I responded. “Well you need to let the staff know that you said that because if I don’t want to go, they can’t make me, right?” This was the defiance I expected, it made me smile in a manner that is like being in the midst of your own déjà vu. “I’ll make sure to tell them that those are our rules, but I can’t promise that the staff won’t make you come.” He nodded with a disappointed stare, “I knew it, you guys are gonna force us to go.”

The first Saturday is “choice day”, which is where the youth get to visit the different classes we will be offering so they can choose the one they want to be a part of for the next six weeks. But the group home boys were unable to come that day because of a previous commitment. The boys came the next week, but I was afraid that the young man who was so defiant was going to use the concept of choice against me. I could hear him in my head before he even got there, “I thought that you said I got to choose, I don’t want this class… I want to go home.” The class that we had picked for him was Divas and Dons, taught by a woman lovingly referred to as Miss Wakia. She is a no-nonsense teacher but has an incredible capacity for nurturing her students. In fact the class that she teaches is about helping our youth learn how to nurture and care for themselves from head to toe.

At the end of the day when the children have the opportunity to share about their day with the rest of the group the young man had absolutely nothing to say. He showed up week after week, never saying a word to me until the last week of classes which is Community Day. Community Day is an opportunity for the youth to share what they have learned in their classes with the rest of the Peace4Kids community. When the day was over the young man grabbed me and wanted to talk.

“So is this the last week for the program?” His tone disappointed me because I thought that he was starting to enjoy himself. “Yes” I said, “but if you choose to come back we’re going to start up again in two weeks.” His eyes got larger with wonder, “Are you telling me that you want me to come back?” I smiled at his inquiry and told him of course he could come back. “So how long does this program last?” he asked with excitement. I explained that as long as he had an interest in what we were doing he could come back as often as he “chose” to. “I’m coming back every week” he said, “I like this place.” It was the best compliment I had heard in a long time and the smile on his face expressed a feeling of acceptance and joy.

As he bounded off excited about the prospect of being a lifetime member of Peace4Kids, I was filled with a quiet sense of gratitude. It reminded me that so many of our youth growing up in foster care really do want the opportunity to choose their own destiny. So much of their life has been decided for them, that when they get to touch their own possibilities their minds open up to the inherent potential of their dreams. To watch the wonder unfold is a gift I will take with me for the rest of my life… I just hope that our youth never forget that the gift is not mine, but truly their own, and that they should open it up whenever the possibility presents itself.

Please take a moment and consider making a gift to Peace4Kids. Your tax-deductible contribution will help us work closer with foster and at-risk youth, and guide their journey into adulthood. It is the only way we will be able to expand and sustain our programs.