“If I didn’t ask for help, I would not have been able to accomplish any of my goals and get a place of my own with a job.”

Chris* came to the Serra House after making the decision to leave an unhealthy life behind. “I showed up as someone making bad decisions for bad reasons. I wanted to get a job and a house without doing bad things to get them.”

Chris had lived what on the outside appeared to be a well-to-do life, but at the cost of violence. Growing up, he quickly learned that if he didn’t do what was expected in the exact expected way, there would be emotional and physical punishment. Chris has the scars to show for it. He learned to rely on himself until one day he realized he couldn’t do it on his own.

Living at the Serra House and working with a case manager, Chris was motivated to improve his circumstances. He took the initiative to apply for Valeo Vocation, an employment agency and got hired right away at a wood product manufacturer. After his first week on the job, Chris’ new employer reported back with highly complimentary words. He quickly proved his work ethic by being granted the responsibility of operating his own manufacturing machine.

Working with the Coffee Oasis, Vadis, and Reach, Chris was able to move into his own place by his 18th birthday.

“You just have to live life.” Chris points to a script tattooed on his arm, a motto in honor of his grandfather.

“You get hurt, fall down, but you get up and finish the race.”

*youth’s name was changed to protect privacy.