At 17 years old, Kensington is recognizing something in himself that others saw long before he did: beneath the anger and hurt is a young man who is kind, loving, and capable of change.
Before coming to Rawhide in spring 2026, Kensington remained close to his grandmother, dad, stepmom, aunt, and siblings. As the oldest, he loved being a big brother and wanted to be someone his siblings could look up to.
But beneath the surface, Kensington was hurting. Abandoned by his biological mom, he knew she was never going to be there for him. Depression and anger became difficult to control, and he didn’t know what to do with his feelings. He broke things, made threats, and became physically aggressive with his dad. “I took it out on the people I loved because it was easier,” Kensington shared.
Coming to Rawhide meant leaving behind the people who mattered most to him. He was surrounded by unfamiliar faces and unsure of what would happen next. But he eventually gained something he hadn’t expected: perspective.
“It showed me how to look at home differently,” he said.
Kensington began to understand the boundaries that once felt like punishment started to look different—like tough love from people who cared enough to want something better for him. Slowly, Kensington began wanting something better for himself, too.
With the support of his therapist, Ms. Tina, he started putting words to emotions that once came out as anger. She listens, challenges him, and holds him accountable—not just when things are falling apart, but in the small moments, too. “She’s always checking on me,” Kensington said.
One of the most unexpected signs of change came in the classroom. Before Rawhide, Kensington rarely completed schoolwork. Now, school is one of his favorite parts of the day. “I feel like I can accomplish more here,” he said.
That transformation helped Kensington earn Student of the Month. But for him, the award represents far more than good grades. “I’m actually seeing a change in myself,” he said. “My anger used to be really bad, but now I can talk about my past.” Kensington’s greatest change is happening in the way he sees himself. For years, people told him he was kind and loving. He just couldn’t believe them. Now, he’s starting to.
As he thinks about the younger siblings who have always looked up to their big brother, Kensington knows the person he becomes matters beyond himself. He wants them to see someone who struggled, accepted help, and kept working to change. More than anything, he wants to be someone worth looking up to.
Kensington’s message to donors: “Thank you for giving me a second chance and everything you have given us.”
