Kansas Independence

I got my GED while I was locked in a group home.  I had a very special teacher in my class for GED.  He was awesome! He taught me so well, I had no problems passing my GED, I was actually in the 3000 club!!! … one of the best scores in the nation.  That was great! This teacher was really special, he paid attention, one-on-one, and it felt like he cared. He didn’t let me take the test until I got certain score in the practice test.  It was like he would not let me fail… He let you take the test when you were ready… to succeed, so you could experience success.  I still keep in contact with him. I know I can count on him, even now… I called him when I was about to do something stupid and he helped… so, it’s really cool! I worked hard but it was good, and once you’re doing well, then you just keep doing well. I think that what really helped me was to see myself doing good.

Making money is VERY important…  so I’m working to make some money for my future.  I got a job at this institution helping youth through crises.  It’s a pretty sweet deal, because I get to help youth like me using my own experience.  I found the job I got now through community service.  I just fit in this job! Someone suggested that I applied for this position and I got it! I really like it and doing well in this job requires of me to do well!!! The biggest rules that you have to follow are no drugs or alcohol.  You actually have to be screened for those once a month…

Good jobs are hard to get, so at first you have to look for a job everywhere. In my case, I was open to any kind of job.  I searched for jobs everywhere! … Internet, signs, papers… everywhere I heard!  When I was doing community service I got to meet the program manager and I showed him interest.  It takes a while to get to know what opportunities, jobs, are available for you.   Find a full time employment, but get what you can get at first, even if it’s a few hours a week…  what’s important is that you’ll show that you’re good at getting the work done.  That makes the difference…  You also need to have your resume ready.  I got help in that institution to put together a resume and now I have my two bosses as my references… actually they told me to include them.

The most helpful thing to get a job in an interview is good appearance.  Also, it’s really important to have a good attitude toward the job:  Show that you want to learn, that you want to do your best. A job is a job these days and with the economy, we can’t be too picky.  So, if you have a job interview, look your best, smile, keep calm, show a good attitude, be willing to learn and help, and talk about your talents!

I got to live on my own five months ago. The Independent Living program helps me pay for my place.  I have to pay for part of it and save money, but I get a $10 allowance every week.  I get $65 for food every two weeks and that’s enough.  It was hard at the beginning but the staff taught me to buy cheap stuff, like “Great value”, so I started doing pretty good and they recognized my achievement.  I got a Leap account; it’s a program that helps you earn money.  I have to save 50% of what I earn for my future, half my check goes there but I don’t need much now.  The only “extra” expense is cigarettes. With my savings I bought a car for $900.  Insurance was expensive so my mom pays for that and she drives it now. I ride the bus using a bus pass I got with my allowance.

I take advantage of every opportunity I get. For example, I got a free computer and a printer from SRS at a computer camp that I attended. I also find people who are willing to help.  I basically accept help.  You feel special having people who help that actually care about you. My support comes mostly from my teacher, my stepmom, and my family.  I don’t have many friends; most of them are new.  I mostly get along with older people.  I don’t get along with people my age…  I’m the only child from my mom and dad. I have many half brothers and sisters and also step brothers and sisters. On my dad’s side I have seven brothers and sisters, and three step sisters.  On my mom’s side I have 2 brothers and five sisters.  When I was little my stepmom and my dad were laid off… tough times. Then my dad passed out.  That was really hard for me.  My stepmom was my support and loved me dearly.  She helped me and I still keep in touch with her.  It is a great experience to feel loved. She was the best person ever in my life because I felt unloved for many years… and then when I was like 14, I felt loved.

I’m not sure what I want to do for a career yet.  I think I will wait and see, because I’ve had a lot of experience working with a lot of things: wood work, cars, electrical appliances, etc.  I think I have many talents! I was trained to work with wood in a placement.  Working with wood calms me down, it’s like therapeutic.  I went to college to study auto mechanic but I dropped out because it was too expensive, I had to pay a lot of fees, books, and tools.  It was just too much.  I still have to pay that debt.  I’d like to go back to college and study singing but I have stage freight and I know that it’d be too hard to perform like that… So, to keep it real, in 10 years I see myself working at a decent job and being able to have a family.  I’m not sure what kind of work I’ll be doing but I’m aware that what inspires me is my own success, so I will find something that uses my talents and provides a decent living for me and my family.

If you’re dealing with juvenile justice… let them help you. That’s the beginning of change. It’ll be something positive. You have to keep in mind that your record holds on for a long time; anything you do will be with you for the rest of your life, so think of your choices… Finish school or get your GED.  That will get you further and will give you a better future.  There are lots of things that you can do once you get your GED or your high school diploma; you can go to college or you can work if you want, but the GED is the beginning.