SUCCESS STORIES: Meet Riley (Senior Year in College)

"I lost focus, becoming overwhelmed, believing I couldn’t at a young age. I lost hope, compassion and care for my future. Before I hit bottom I was reached by Doctor Reverend Charles Tinsley and Ms. Heidi Jones, from the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary, who both gave me hope for tomorrow when I never cared about today. They gave me the tools necessary to obtain the resources I needed and at times even provided the resources that I needed.

After getting my belief system back, feeling like I had support from others I tried and tried again. I have been through three Junior Colleges and what seems like a hundred jobs. I found a place I enjoyed and applied myself earning a 3.8 GPA at DVC my 4th semester in college. Feeling a little empowered I applied to a dozen Universities. I got into one and decided to go with it, taking a leap forward.

Saint Mary’s College of California is where I ended up. With expenses piling up I needed people like those of the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary. In the beginning I was very nervous, not knowing whether the next step I took would collapse underneath me. But I had the support I needed and the belief that I could. These two factors give people the reasoning that anything is achievable if you apply yourself. Through hard work and perseverance I reached a place where I could see the end in mind.

With the help of the Auxiliary and Reverend Tinsley I know I can. Feeling the support of others is what helps me continue to the next day. I owe everything to individuals like Shannon, those at the Auxiliary and Reverend Tinsley. I have gone from not caring about tomorrow to only thinking about my future and how I live today. I now know I can truly believing that with support and confidence I can achieve anything."