Jake: Bumpy Road to a Hopeful Future
I
f you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there. That’s how it was for Jake.
“Jake” (not his real name) grew up in one of Minneapolis’ most economically challenged neighborhoods. He lived with his mother who, as a single parent, struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse. Jake’s father was minimally involved in his life. Although he visited Jake periodically and promised to be a more supportive parent, he never quite followed through.
As a result, Jake spent his formative years growing up on the streets without consistent guidance, encouragement or positive role models. He engaged in gang activity, drugs, truancy, theft and violence. By the age of 16, he had been through the juvenile justice system on multiple occasions, spent many nights at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center and was eventually referred by the courts to Bar None Residential Treatment Center.
Almost immediately, Jake’s therapist at Bar None recognized that he was a bright young man with vast potential – that is, if he were to stay in school and lead a life free of gangs, violence, and drugs. From the start, Jake openly acknowledged his bad choices and approached Bar None’s treatment process with an unusual amount of dedication and commitment. He knew he needed to change his path in order to stay clear of the adult corrections system. With guidance from his therapist and Bar None staff, Jake set goals for himself including developing healthy relationships, improving self-respect, practicing anger management skills, as well as other skills necessary to be successful in a challenging environment.
Reflecting on Jake’s remarkable progress, his therapist observed, “Because of his background, it’s easy to assume that Jake’s path will not change after he leaves Bar None. However, he is already a success to everyone he meets. And more importantly, for the first time in his life, Jake recognizes his own potential.”
Bar None has helped Jake has change his path in life – find a new beginning, discover hope and dream of the possibilities the future holds for him.