At House of Grace’s Youth Center, transformation often happens quietly, one small step at a time. For 15-year-old Rami (alias), finding a place where he truly belongs has made all the difference.
“I didn’t want to come here at first,” Rami remembers, fidgeting with his sleeve. Being the youngest in a big family wasn’t easy, especially with money being tight at home. School was even harder – being in the special education class made him feel different from other kids. “Everyone else was in regular classes. I felt like I didn’t fit in anywhere.”
When Rami first came to the center with his siblings, he mostly sat alone, watching others from a distance. “I thought it would be like school – people judging me all the time.” But something was different here. The center’s coordinator noticed when Rami was having a bad day, or when he needed space. He didn’t push Rami to join in right away, just let him take his time.
“Sometimes at school, when things get too much, I used to just explode,” Rami admits. “I’d get angry and couldn’t control it. But here, it’s different. When I feel those feelings coming, I can go play basketball or work on art stuff. Nobody makes fun of me if I mess up.”
The change didn’t happen overnight. But bit by bit, Rami started feeling more comfortable. “Now I come every day after school,” he says with a small smile. “It’s the best part of my day. Here, I can just be me.”
His parents have noticed the difference too. “Mom says I’m calmer now,” Rami shares proudly. “I still have bad days sometimes, but not as much as before. And when I do, I know how to handle it better.”
“This is my place now,” Rami says simply, looking around the center where he spends his afternoons. “When I’m here, I feel okay. Just okay being me. And that’s pretty cool.”
Through House of Grace’s Youth Center, young people like Rami find more than just activities – they find a place where they belong. In this nurturing environment, each child’s journey is respected, allowing them to grow and thrive in their own way, at their own pace.
