The Link

Richard began at the South Evening Reporting Center in October 2017 and completed successfully in January 2018. It took Richard a little longer than anticipated to complete our program but it was clear half way through that he was determined to finish. Richard was aware of the consequences if he failed to complete the ERC and made it a priority to come to program prepared to complete the day and get one step closer to graduation.  

When Richard began at the ERC, staff was unsure of how to connect with him. Richard came to program combative and unwilling to participate in groups, under the influence of marijuana and sometimes not showing up at all.  He continued this way for the first 3-4 weeks of program. Staff finally decided to sit down with Richard and go over program expectations and explain the minimum behavior requirements that were needed from him to continue. During this meeting staff asked Richard if there was anything we could do to help him complete the program; Richard was silent and just shrugged his shoulders, saying he did not know. Staff explained that if he thought of anything they would be more than happy to sit down at a later time but that we really needed him to try to meet us at least halfway. This was the end of the meeting and to say that staff walked away less than confident would be an understatement.  

However after this meeting staff saw a drastic change in Richard’s behavior. He came to program willing to participate in groups, listening to each facilitator and being respectful towards staff and other clients. Staff noticed this change especially when given the chance to work one-on-one with him. Richard opened up about his interests in finding a well paying job as well as struggles with remaining in school. Richard had been held back a year and was frustrated because of the administration at school not giving him the help he needed. Richard changed schools shortly after his turning point in the ERC and this is when staff became confident that Richard was going to successfully complete the program. Richard was going to school each day and coming to program!  

One of the most memorable moments during Richard’s time in program was on his final day.  We had a small group so after going out to eat and returning to play video games, staff started his graduation ceremony. While cutting the cake and handing it out, Richard was smiling, laughing and joking with staff. Richard was only required to stay for half of the day and had previously had no problem calling out staff when we would go over time, however today, Richard seemed unconcerned about the time and when staff mentioned that whenever he was ready to leave we could bring him home, he replied, alright how about like five more minutes? 

In the end, Richard truly did the work and focused his efforts on not only completing the ERC program, but also improving his school attendance and school performance. Finally, he also carried himself differently, not simply due to ERC’s connection with him, but perhaps by allowing others to give him a hand and know in his heart that he can do it.  We are very proud of Richard and feel fortunate to have worked with him at The Link.