Born in Michigan, Nate moved to Wisconsin at a young age and lived with his dad, stepmom, and several siblings. “There were usually four of us kids in the house at the same time,” shared Nate. Being the second youngest, he often felt lost and unsure of where to turn as his anger and outbursts began taking over his life.

Since arriving at Rawhide in July 2024, Nate has found more than just a place to stay—he has found a community that understands and supports him. “At first, everything was a little unexpected. But now I’m relieved it wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought it would be,” he said.

From volunteering at the local soup kitchen, playing basketball and football, to attending our job training and career class, Nate is making the most of these experiences. Getting the opportunity to work at our Fish Fries has also been rewarding, especially with surprise guests. “My grandma and grandpa came to visit when I was waiting tables, and it was great seeing familiar faces.”

Nate’s favorite part about Rawhide is the staff and the on-campus school, Starr Academy. “Some kids think school isn’t important, but I really like school. My favorite subject is math,” said Nate. Starr Academy Principal, Ms. Michelle, shared how proud Nate should be of his progress. “He has a lot of self-awareness and stays away from negativity. He’s never embarrassed about being good at school and working hard to improve himself.”

With his therapist, Ms. Hannah, Nate recognizes different ways to deal with his anger. “Coping mechanisms have been helpful and understanding that some of them work and some don’t. I’m learning to control my anger and not let it control me.”

After completing his program, Nate hopes to become a veterinarian and work with animals. “Growing up, I had dogs and cats, and my grandparents had a horse. Being with the horses in equine therapy and seeing the dogs around campus brings me joy.”

Nate’s message to donors: Thanks for accepting me, for giving me staff to work with, and for helping me become a better person.