Fired Twice From Juvenile Hall, Forged a New Purpose
Discover how one man's journey, fired twice from juvenile hall, led him to develop 'Real Necessary Solutions,' a vital curriculum engaging at-risk youth in crucial conversations about anger and emotion. Learn how setbacks can create profound change.
The original video by Heat Speakers plays right here.
Imagine working hard, becoming the first in your family to graduate college, and landing a secure job, only for it to be unexpectedly taken away. This was the crushing reality for one individual, not just once, but twice, at juvenile hall. What started as a devastating setback, however, transformed into a powerful mission to help at-risk youth facing similar struggles. This journey from personal challenge to profound purpose reveals how getting humbled can truly forge a path to creating real, lasting change.
The Initial Setback and Five Years of Survival
The speaker's first experience at juvenile hall began in 2007. Having graduated college as the first in his entire family, securing a steady bi-weekly paycheck felt like a significant achievement and a marker of success. He approached the job with confidence, believing he was ready to make an impact.
However, this initial tenure was short-lived. He recounts a situation where he felt that a higher power determined he wasn't truly prepared for the role. The job was taken from him, leading to a five-year period of intense struggle and reflection. He describes these years as "tough, tough, tough, tough," a time when he "went back to what I knew, which was surviving."
I remember when the gentleman called me into the office and said, "Your services are no longer needed." Driving down the 99 crying. I remember that to this day, like crazy.
This humbling experience of being let go from juvenile hall in 2007 served as a crucial turning point. He admits, "I fumbled it" and realized he wasn't as ready as he thought he was. This reflection became the catalyst for a different approach to his career and his purpose.
Returning with a Mission: From Per Diem to Supervisor
Driven by a determination not to repeat past mistakes, the speaker returned to juvenile hall in 2012. This time, he came back with a different mentality, starting as a per diem employee. He describes holding onto this opportunity with renewed vigor, vowing, "I'm not dropping this ball this time. I'm not losing it. I'm not losing it."
His unwavering commitment paid off. He diligently worked his way up the ranks, progressing from a per diem position to a full-time senior role, and eventually achieving the position of supervisor. His second tenure at juvenile hall spanned over a decade, a testament to his dedication and growth.
Despite the challenges inherent in working within the juvenile justice system, he found immense personal and professional development. He explains that being there "helped me understand life," and while there were aspects to complain about, there were also "some beautiful moments, some life altering moments that happened for me in a positive way at the juvenile hall that has prepared me on the journey that I'm currently on."
Launching 'Real Necessary Solutions' Within Juvenile Hall
It was during his role as a supervisor that the speaker was able to actualize a long-held vision. While still employed at the juvenile justice campus, he founded his 501(c)(3) organization. More significantly, he secured the necessary blessings and approvals to implement his organization's own curriculum directly within the facility.
Around the time of COVID, as the supervisor of the intake unit, he personally taught this curriculum to the youth every Thursday. The process of getting the curriculum approved was not swift, requiring it to go up through various levels of administration and back down, a journey that ultimately took an entire year to complete.
The Core of the RNS Curriculum: Addressing Deep-Seated Issues
The curriculum, known as "Real Necessary Solutions" or RNS, was developed from direct observations of what the kids truly needed and what was missing from their existing support systems. It is designed to engage at-risk youth in genuine, impactful conversations.
The speaker observed that many young people enter juvenile hall presenting a tough exterior, with "chest all pumped up." However, when given the chance to sit down one-on-one with a "trusted adult," these same individuals often break down and cry, revealing deep-seated emotional pain they feel they cannot express publicly.
RNS addresses several critical areas, including:
- Anger management: Helping kids understand and cope with their anger.
- Emotional expression: Creating safe spaces for kids to voice their feelings, rather than internalizing them.
- Real conversations: Facilitating honest dialogue both individually and in group settings.
A powerful aspect of RNS is its ability to foster group therapy where peers can witness each other's vulnerability. When a seemingly tough individual cries and shares their struggles, it often prompts others to realize, "Oh wait, that dude who just knocked out two dudes last week and here crying right now, he went through the same thing I went through." This shared experience creates empathy and allows a group of kids to collectively release the inner turmoil that often leads to destructive behavior outside the hall.
Real necessary solutions. It's something that we came up with to help our kids understand what triggers are, like what triggers them to act a certain way.
The core goal of RNS is to help these young individuals identify their triggers and address the underlying issues that are "eating them up," preventing them from talking about their problems and instead leading to outward aggression.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transformative Justice
What initially led to the speaker being fired from juvenile hall in 2007?
The speaker felt it was due to a higher power indicating he wasn't ready for the role, implying a lack of preparedness or maturity at that time.
How long did it take for the RNS curriculum to be approved and implemented within the juvenile hall?
The approval process for the Real Necessary Solutions (RNS) curriculum took one full year from submission to implementation.
What are some core components of the Real Necessary Solutions (RNS) curriculum?
RNS includes anger management, fostering emotional expression through real conversations, and helping youth understand their personal triggers.
How did the speaker's second tenure at juvenile hall differ from the first?
The second tenure was marked by a different mentality, a strong mission to not lose the opportunity again, and a decade of dedicated service that led to him becoming a supervisor and implementing his own curriculum.
Why is one-on-one and group counseling important for incarcerated youth?
It provides a safe space for youth to express internal struggles with a trusted adult, and group settings allow for peer empathy and collective healing, addressing deep-seated emotional issues.
The Lasting Impact of Turning Setbacks into Purpose
This powerful narrative from Heat Speakers illustrates that even the most painful setbacks can become the fertile ground for personal growth and profound impact. The experience of being fired from juvenile hall, twice, did not lead to despair, but instead ignited a decade-long mission to understand, empathize, and empower at-risk youth. By transforming his own struggles into a solution for others, the speaker has created a legacy of real change, proving that a renewed purpose can emerge from unexpected places, ultimately benefiting those who need it most.
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This article is based on this video by Heat Speakers. Written and published automatically with BlokStreams.
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