At 17 years old, Andrew found himself at a crossroads. With anger issues and personal challenges taking over his life, his temper often led to conflicts. Living with his mom and younger sister, he knew he needed to make changes to become the person he wanted to be. Andrew came to Rawhide in March 2024, feeling uncertain about what to expect.

Adjusting to this new environment felt daunting. “At first, I was getting into a lot of fights. It took time to get used to my ‘new normal,’” Andrew shared. However, he soon embraced the change, driven by a desire to graduate and return to his family. Over time, he grew close to Rawhide’s supportive staff and found comfort in his academics. “The personalized education program has been helpful. I’ve always been passionate about learning,” he said. “I’m excelling in my schoolwork and staying out of trouble.”

Therapy sessions with Ms. Cassie were challenging initially since Andrew had never experienced therapy before coming to Rawhide. “I felt uncomfortable sharing my feelings, but now I have coping mechanisms to handle my anger and manage my emotions,” he shared.

Now living in our Lodge Group Home, Andrew has reached a point of stability and focus. Activities like basketball, biking, and pickleball have provided him with positive outlets, while community service projects, such as cleaning up a frisbee golf course, have given him a chance to connect with others. He’s also found passion in our job training courses, specifically welding, with aspirations for a career in that field.

Reflecting on his achievements, Andrew takes pride in his academic progress and his ability to stay focused on his goals. He hopes Rawhide’s staff and students will remember him as a calm, helpful kid who was always willing to lend a hand. “I’ve learned that I’m really an emotional person sometimes and that it’s okay to have emotions,” Andrew said. “I hope everything I learn here will remind me to stay out of trouble in the future.”

Andrew’s message to donors: “Thank you for supporting me as I reinvent myself.”