Alex’s Letter

Alex’s Youth Support Specialist, now Orangewood’s Rising Tide Transitional Housing Program Supervisor, LaCretia shares a little more about Alex and his letter. Read Alex’s letter here.

Who is Alex? What can you tell us about him?

Alex is a college graduate who is passionate about being a good supporter for his family. I knew Alex at two different times in his life. First, when he was an 18-year-old playing baseball just entering our housing program trying to understand how to navigate independent living while attending community college and working. Alex started to have some challenges that he worked to overcome by attending support meetings, connecting with a positive support person (who he still meets up with him),  and following up weekly with the case manager. By the end of his two years with us, he moved with his Aunt whom he looked up to because she was an accountant, she was who he aspired to be. The second time I met Alex he moved back into Rising Tide as a 22-year-old with a roommate who was only 18 years old. He was much more mature and was looking forward to graduating community college,  attending Cal State Fullerton and working full time. He was motivated to join Guardian Scholars because he had the opportunity to follow in his sister’s footsteps.

How was it to work with Alex?

The 18-year-old Alex did not trust easily but as we showed consistency and did not judge him allowed us to have open communication about struggles.

What motivated him to write this letter, what do you think motivated him?

When I spoke to Alex, Alex stated he was motivated to write this letter because he saw the things his 18-year-old roommate was doing and Alex was also once at that place. He wanted to give him words of encouragement and motivation. I don’t believe the other youth thought anything about the letter because he wasn’t at a good place to receive what was written.

How does youth support other youth in the program?

Youth support each other by connecting with each other through a group chat to ask others for rides, share dinner items they have prepared, play board games, or just have a conversation. This can lead to connections that last longer than being in Rising Tide. For example, our parenting youth have supported each other by picking up children from the same daycare if one was running late. Some youth who do not have cars catch rides with other youth who does to work or grocery shopping.

What do you wish to see when other people read Alex’s letter?

I wish to see other youth ask more questions about Alex, where he is, what challenges/struggles he overcame to eventually wanting a genuine conversation with him about how he persevered.  I like using youth experiences since other young people may relate to their words more than staff. My hope is that any youth who reads this is encouraged to know they can do it.