“I improved a lot here,” said Navarius. “This place has really helped me. I feel like I’ve changed, and I know I need to prove that.”

Navarius is an athletic 14-year-old from Southeast Wisconsin. He spent most of his childhood with his dad’s side of the family, mainly his aunts, but began splitting time between his mom and her brother over the past two years. “I came to Rawhide because I was hanging out with the wrong crowd and doing things I shouldn’t have been doing,” said Navarius. “My first few weeks I felt like I didn’t belong, and it wasn’t a good fit for me, but things changed. I started to feel welcomed and comfortable.”

Navarius experienced therapy for the first time at Rawhide and hopes to continue seeing a therapist at home. Most of the work in therapy was around his relationship with his mom, forming a strong bond and connection, so he could stay home and out of trouble.

He credited the staff and his therapist for all he’s learned at Rawhide. “I learned patience, and how to cope with things better, rather than running off,” said Navarius. “Instead, now I talk with someone, be straight up, and get more details on the situation before I get mad.”

Navarius’ case manager described him as a natural leader and a good role model for others, which makes his interest in becoming a pastor and motivational speaker a great fit. “I learned I’m a social butterfly and a very caring person,” said Navarius. “I love to be around people and talk.”

Now that he has returned home, Navarius plans to join his high school’s football and basketball teams and graduate from high school. After that, he hopes to move out of his home city and play basketball at a Division 1 school.

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