TREVOR

We see it every day.  Change is real.

I always grew up in a Christian home. Then my dad died when I was 13, and it deeply affected me. It made me question God. That grew from me having doubts to me believing he wasn’t real and, eventually, me hating God altogether.

Growing up, I behaved pretty well, but after my dad died, I coped by doing things that I knew were bad for me. It was a way to get back at God. Over time, things got so bad that I became isolated and would spend days alone. I often wouldn’t eat. I was indifferent toward life. After a while, I came to the realization that none of it was good for me and I should stop – not only for myself, but also for the people I care about.

Coming to the youth home was not my choice, but I accepted it. I made up my mind to take advantage of the opportunities I have. I no longer want to waste my time. Here, I am learning to take care of myself. I am gaining self-control and benefiting from the structure. I value a good work ethic now, I am healthy again, I am doing well in school in a way I never could before, and I no longer hate God.

We say that change starts with one, and I am an example of that. I am not indifferent now. Instead, I care and choose to discipline myself to set positive goals and meet the challenges of life. The growth I can see in myself will impact more than just me, and you are a part of that. When you support the Paul Anderson Youth Home, you support me. We are working together.

So I am asking you to help me and all the boys at the Paul Anderson Youth Home and the boys who will come after me.

Give. Make change possible for other young men like me. Imagine what we can do together.

-Trevor, PAYH 2015