This is a success story about two young men who were given a second chance. During their teenage years, both faced significant adversity and responded to life’s challenges recklessly, falling in with the wrong crowds. Those choices ultimately led to incarceration and criminal charges. Now, barely adults, they stand at a crossroads: continue down a difficult path or choose something new. Both were drawn to VoTech with a desire to learn the trades, build employment skills and begin creating meaningful careers. Without stable housing, they moved into our men’s dorms to take part in the 71Five VoTech program. The start was not without challenges. Coming from different backgrounds and with very different personalities, the transition was rocky at first. With guidance and support from staff and by working together on classroom projects they began to learn how to collaborate. Over time, they started encouraging and supporting one another both in and out of class. One young man shared how grateful he was for the hands-on experience repairing our lawnmower because he got to use those skills to help a friend with landscaping that same weekend. The other has embraced his new responsibilities, arriving to class early, gaining confidence through success and taking meaningful steps toward getting his life back on track. Today both young men are hopeful about the future and grateful for the second chance they were given.

Thank you for your part in seeing young people, like these two, succeed at 71Five!

 

LOGAN SCHOCKELT, 71Five VoTech Assistant Coordinator – Medford

541.646.5706 | logan@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB