The teenagers who live in...
Illustration
The teenagers who live in the rehabilitation center know they are there because they
broke the law. While the doors remain locked, the inside does not look much like a jail.
The director says that most of the youth housed in the center have experienced some sort
of abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect. Offenders have committed a range of crimes,
including drug dealing, robbery, and assault.
For the past twenty years this center has been changing the lives of young people by providing a setting that inspires. Residents are taught practical skills of how to resolve conflicts, control anger, and make other lifestyle changes. At the center they also are able to continue their education and learn job skills.
The key to change is for the young people to tap into their positive talents. Joe committed crimes and was arrested by the time he was twelve years old. "A lot of things I was doing weren't good," he explains. "But it feels good to do something positive. I'm just going to do whatever I have to do to make myself better." Then he adds, "The Lord must have given me a second chance."
The prophet Hosea writes of surprising reversals and unexpected grace, which is part of God's character.
For the past twenty years this center has been changing the lives of young people by providing a setting that inspires. Residents are taught practical skills of how to resolve conflicts, control anger, and make other lifestyle changes. At the center they also are able to continue their education and learn job skills.
The key to change is for the young people to tap into their positive talents. Joe committed crimes and was arrested by the time he was twelve years old. "A lot of things I was doing weren't good," he explains. "But it feels good to do something positive. I'm just going to do whatever I have to do to make myself better." Then he adds, "The Lord must have given me a second chance."
The prophet Hosea writes of surprising reversals and unexpected grace, which is part of God's character.
