When Troy arrived at Rawhide in late September, his first thought was simple: “I don’t want to be here.” He missed home, his friends, and the familiar rhythm of his old life. But over the past two and a half months, Troy has transformed that mindset into something powerful—a commitment to growth, leadership, and making his family proud.
Before coming to Rawhide, Troy admits he wasn’t a “bad kid,” but he made bad decisions. “I was hanging with the wrong crowd,” he shared. “When one of my friends died, it really took a turn in my life. My friends and I stopped caring and started doing random stuff—fighting, running the streets, not listening to my mom.” Those choices eventually led him here, but Troy now sees Rawhide as an opportunity, not a punishment. “They want to see me succeed. They don’t want to see me fall down.”
Today, Troy is thriving. He’s a junior in high school, working hard on his academics, and even earning Student of the Month and the Affirmation rank in his program. He’s also discovered new passions—like basketball. “I never thought I’d be good at basketball, but here I’ve gotten better,” he said. His favorite memory so far? A legendary one-handed catch during a football game on Fun Friday that his peers still talk about.
Beyond sports, Troy works at the barn, learning to care for horses and embracing equine therapy. “It’s calm,” he explained. “Walking the horses and talking—it brings out that calm energy.” He’s also a positive role model for younger kids in his house, something staff encouraged him to embrace. “They look up to me,” Troy said. “I want them to remember me as someone who changed for the better.”
Looking ahead, Troy dreams big. He hopes to earn a football scholarship, play at the college level, and eventually invest in businesses—including opening a restaurant for his mom. “She’s always wanted that,” he said. “I want to make her proud.” He’s already taking steps toward that dream by enrolling in Rawhide’s Culinary job training program, where he’s learning skills that will help him run a kitchen and support his future goals.
Troy’s journey hasn’t been easy, but his determination shines through. “I’ve learned to think before I act,” he reflected. “I have to put me first so I can help others later.” His advice to his future self? “Keep doing what you’re doing. Bigger things will come.”
Troy’s message to donors: “Thank you for everything you do for Rawhide. A lot of us don’t get to do things like this at home. You’ve given us opportunities and memories we’ll never forget.”
