The night Carlos’ life changed didn’t feel like a choice—it felt inevitable.
The people around him were the same ones he’d grown up with and was the only crowd he knew. Walking away didn’t feel possible. “I didn’t want to cut them off,” he said. “I kept hanging out with those same people. I had nowhere else to turn.” Being in the wrong crowd didn’t feel like a decision; it felt like the only option.
At 16 years old, Carlos was charged with gun possession and theft. What started as loyalty and familiarity quickly pulled him deeper into trouble. Even while living in a stable home with his grandparents, the pull of his environment was stronger than his ability to imagine a different path.
In August 2025, Carlos arrived at Rawhide. At first, it was easy to go through the motions. But that ease faded into frustration. “I got fed up,” he admitted. Feeling like the progress he made went unnoticed, Carlos tried to get himself removed from his program, heading down a familiar dark path.
But Rawhide staff refused to let that be the end of his story. “Mr. Brandon and Mr. Ty motivated me to finally turn my life around. They kept showing up for me, even on hard days,” Carlos said. With their unwavering support, Carlos began to believe in himself again—and started finding healthier ways to push forward.
One of those ways was through movement. At the encouragement of his friend Colton, he started running. Four to five miles a day became more than exercise; it became an outlet. “Running pushes me, mentally and physically,” Carlos shared. “It keeps me distracted and helps me do something positive … it’s made me a better person.”
That same forward momentum carried into the classroom. Once credit-deficient, Carlos is now back on track and plans to graduate from high school. He thrives on connection, enjoys being social, and gets along with those around him. Just as important, he’s learned how to slow down in moments of anger. “I used to not think about the consequences,” he said. “Now I stop and think how this will affect me after, and I can calm myself.”
Carlos’ relationship with his grandmother has been one of the most meaningful changes. “We had bad communication,” Carlos said. Through family therapy, they learned how to understand each other, bringing trust, respect, and healing back into a relationship that matters deeply to him.
Looking ahead, Carlos plans to join the Marines, attend college, and make music. He discovered something he had never known before: the strength to see a way forward, even when it feels like there’s no hope.
Carlos’ message to donors: “Thank you for everything. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have grown into the person I am today.”
