Our grantee organizations are full of compassionate people who make a profound impact on the world, and whose stories inspire the work that we do. Throughout September we’ve put the spotlight on Domus, highlighting their positive influence on our youth from the perspective of former students like Danielle, Robert and Julien who have been mentored through adversity and challenged to succeed—no matter what.
Our final story comes from Julien*, a former Domus student who—with the full support of his teachers and mentors—realized his full potential and turned his life around.
I started with Domus at the SRO camp they used to run and there I met Jon, Harold, and Danny. I didn’t know as a 12-year-old how much my relationships with them would end up meaning. As a middle school student, I didn’t have that much to do after school, and my best friend had gotten in some trouble and ended up at another Domus program for kids who were involved with the juvenile justice system. I didn’t have to go there because at that point in my life I had never been arrested, but I did go there, all the time actually, because my best friend was there and I didn’t have anything else to do. It became some place that I felt comfortable and I liked it. They always included me like I belonged there.
I ended up at Stamford Academy, Domus’ high school, for my junior year after I was in a fight at Stamford High School and was kicked out. I was less than thrilled to be attending there. I had a problem with authority which wasn’t something that the principal was fond of. He demanded that we follow the rules and that we reach the high expectations that were set for us. We butted heads a lot – he was always telling me what to do and I was always disagreeing. People like Ms. Weller and Harold helped me get through those hard days by giving me constant support and reassuring me I could do it. I didn’t know that years later, I would end up being more thankful to the principal, Mr. McGuire, than he would ever know.
My senior year, in a series of bad decisions, I ended up being arrested and sitting in jail until someone from my family could post bail. When they did, I returned to Stamford Academy and much to my surprise, I was greeted with open arms and a focus on getting me to receive a diploma. The class I had been in had already graduated, so I was even more determined. Mr. McGuire allowed me to pick up where I left off, and I earned all my credits; to top it off, he allowed me to, on paper, be a part of the graduating class of 2006 which is where I should have been. It meant a lot to me for him to do that.
I was happy to have a diploma, but I knew that wasn’t the end of my struggle. I was heading into a full-time life of unstructured days and none of the people watching over me that had been for the past two years. I was also facing a three-year jail term in a couple of months because of my earlier arrest. That made me nervous, and Mr. McGuire knew it. So he told me that he was going to give me a unique opportunity. He asked me to come and work at Stamford Academy and help to deal with some of the kids, who like me, struggled with authority and needed some direction. A couple of weeks later, I went from a graduating student to someone who was telling kids to hurry up, get to class, and stop cursing in the halls. It helped me see a completely a new perspective. And I got focused and knew I had some real changes to make.
I reported for my three-year sentence in June; it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Two weeks before I left, I spoke at a big Domus fundraising event and told my story to 300 people who gave me a standing ovation. I had made so many changes in my life, yet I was entering prison. While I was in jail, I frequently called Stamford Academy collect, and my calls were accepted each and every time. Mr. McGuire or one of my former teachers would get on the phone and motivate me. They would remind me that this was only temporary and that I would get through it. And I did, with their help.
I have been home for years now and have turned my life around. I have my CDL Class A license and work full-time for a big trash-hauling company. I work part-time at a Domus after-school program with middle school kids, which is so rewarding because I see so much of me in them, and I know I can help guide them in the right direction before they face some of the really tough times I did.
Domus and the people here have been a huge part of my life in so many different stages, including adulthood. I am grateful that with their help, I am here before you as a success story and not someone who didn’t make it or who is headed to jail in a couple of days. Today I will get in my own car and head home.
* Julien is a pseudonym of a previous Domus student who is now giving back and inspiring change in our communities.
Author not pictured in the image above. Photo by Pamela Einarsen.