At just 16 years old, Carl has lived through more than most will in a lifetime.
Born in Florida, Carl lost his mom at a young age and bounced between inconsistent homes before moving to Wisconsin to live with his aunt and uncle. He found family where he could, but unfortunately, in the wrong places and eventually fell into dangerous choices: stealing cars, robbing houses, and getting caught up in a life that felt like survival.
He came to Rawhide in April 2025, a sophomore in high school with a long road behind him—and a new one just beginning. When he first arrived, he admits he didn’t know who to trust, was quick to fight, and was unsure of what came next. “I wanted to figure everything out. I was arguing, getting into fights. But after a few days, I had a mind switch,” Carl said. “I knew what I wanted to lock in and finish my program.”
Over time, Carl’s journey at Rawhide has become one of growth, resilience, and reconnection. “I matured, and my people, the staff, and my respite care family, helped me learn about consequences. They gave me an opportunity to change,” he shared.
What stands out most to Carl is the support. “I didn’t have that growing up. The staff here believes in me when no one else has,” he said. He especially formed a bond with Mr. Brandon, who talks about life, basketball, and the kind of person Carl wants to become.
With his therapist, Ms. Gabby, Carl learned how to slow down his impulses, manage his emotions, and navigate tough environments without losing control. Equine therapy helps Carl reconnect with the calming presence of animals, something he remembers from time spent on his grandmother’s farm. “I love that horses can read your emotions,” he said.
He wants to prove that people like him—kids who’ve gone through the worst—can still come back. “I didn’t have a mom or dad, and had a horrible childhood,” Carl said. “But I raised my two little brothers, I learned how to be an adult before I was supposed to be one, and I’m showing people that I can change my life around.”
With a dream of earning a scholarship to play football and getting a degree in psychology, Carl wants to become a juvenile social worker. “I want to help people like me, and I want to give them a chance. People like me know that it’s possible.”
Carl’s message to donors: “Thank you for genuinely helping us every day and giving us opportunities we would’ve never had otherwise.”