George

George entered the system when he was 8 years old. For him, placement started out as a safe haven. He finally had a place where no one could hit him or kick him down stairs. He finally had a place where people would talk to him about his behaviors instead of beating him or sending him to bed without food. For George this was a big improvement from his home environment.

At 5 years old, George's mother left. It took him a few weeks to realize she was even gone. The only thing she left him was a picture placed on the kitchen table. His father finally broke the news to him. "George, you may never see your mother again."

George struggled to trust after that. His whole world, as abusive as it was, got turned upside down. They moved so that George and his dad could have a new start and afford to live.

This move brought no relief for George. He took his anger out in school. His views on right and wrong played out in school, just as they did for him at home. If someone did something to George that was wrong, he would hit that person, even if they looked at him wrong, he would act out physically. After all, this is how he was raised and this is what he knew.

After spending more time in the principal's office than in class, George and his dad moved again. This move brought along with it a new mother figure for George. At first, he was excited, but then his lack of trust and anger kicked in. He did not get along with his soon to be stepmother. They would argue and fight constantly. At one family event, George and his stepmother were arguing. He went to go for a walk to cool down. As he was on his way, his stepmother tackled him in the mud. George was embarrassed in front of his family and angry that another adult felt the need to put her hands on him. He took action and tried to commit suicide by hanging himself. Because of this, George was placed in a psychiatric hospital for evaluation. This was the beginning of his 6 years in placement.

George was moved between over 15 different placements during his 6 years in care. He went from hospitals, to group homes, foster homes, residential facilities, and back again. Each move reinforced his lack of trust. Each time he became close to a staff or a person, he was moved, or the staff found another job. Each time he was discharged to live with his family, he would last a few months and return to placement. A vicious cycle had to end.

After touring NYS facilities, George was eventually placed in a group home in Ithaca, NY where his mother lived. George was able to reconnect with his mother and began to rebuild their relationship together. George was eventually discharged from the group home and was placed on YAP services to assist him and his mother in making a smooth transition out of the institutional mindset that kept him returning to placement.

George and his mom made it. She quit drinking shortly after George returned to her and has been sober ever since. George and his advocate worked hard on rebuilding his relationship with his dad and stepmom. It was a long road, but it paid off.

George has been successfully discharged from YAP for 8 years. He has graduated from High school, gone on to college, and obtained his Associates degree. George has had a steady job for the past 4 years and has successfully paid off all of his student loans.

Currently George is working with YAP VOICE to give back and to inspire people with his words and his story. He has recently been hired as an advocate at the same YAP program that helped him get where he is today. He is currently in training and shadowing with a senior Advocate at YAP. This same advocate worked with George over 8 years ago when he was a youth in the program. He has come full circle in his success.

Through all that George went through, he developed an interest in writing. For George, writing has been not only a pass time but also a way to cope with the past and the present. Writing about his past serves as a way to "let go" of the painful memories that still tend to haunt him.

He would like to record a demo and publish a book one day in hopes of spreading his hopes and visions to others, to be heard and hopefully inspire those who listen, to let people know that even though life knocks us down sometimes, we have a choice to stay down and sit still... or get up and keep walking... George is still walking.

back  |  printer-friendly version