Fighting for Hope - Alex
My name is Alex, and I’m from Ontario. I enjoy playing ping-pong, basketball, and video games.
I also like driving.
I love my family, but we have faced a lot of problems, like substance abuse, a split family, violence, and stealing. These things hurt me a lot from a young age. I became sneaky and lied every day to get by. This led to anger and swearing. The bad things I did were ignored because my family was mostly focused on my brother. He often got into trouble with the law. I didn’t have real friends because they would all talk behind my back. I started hanging out with my cousin because he was the only person I really trusted. We would run away and get into trouble together because he had a similar life. I had to switch schools a lot because I had to live with different family members. Eventually, I found a place where I felt safe: my grandparents’ farm.
When I got to Rock Solid, I struggled for a while because I never had a routine of waking up early and going to bed early. Also, I had no respect for adults in my life, and I wouldn’t listen to them. I had to learn that I’m not the one in charge. The staff have really helped me get to a better place. I have caught up on my schoolwork thanks to the classroom staff at Rock Solid. It’s so much more fun now because I have committed to the program and realized that you get more privileges when you’re not in trouble all the time. It’s rewarding because my grandparents and parents have seen a change in me. Only God could have helped me stop lying and stealing.
I have been working hard to move up levels, because once I reach level 3, I will be able to go home more often. I’m becoming a respected person that people want to be around.
When I grow up, I want to take over my grandparents’ farm because farming is something that I have a passion for.
One of my favourite verses that I’ve learned since coming to Rock Solid Refuge is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.” I thank God for all He’s done to change me and all that He is still doing in my life.
