Tidewater Youth Services Foundation - Client Stories

Dominik’s Story: A life turned around  

Dominik was 15 when he got in trouble for robbery and car jacking.  

“I wasn’t getting along with my parents and didn’t care about anything,” says Dominick.  

He spent three-and-a-half years in juvenile corrections, where he earned his high school diploma. Then at 19, he returned to the community.  

After a short stay at a halfway house, he received reentry support services from the Tidewater Youth Services Commission. His counselor, Roz Burgess, helped him learn independent living skills, such as budgeting, check writing, consumer awareness and how to take public transportation and where to get medical care.  

She also explored career options and taught him how to apply for a job and get ready for an interview – and Dominik proved to be a terrific student!

Ms. Burgess visited a restaurant to tell the management about Dominik and then took him for an interview. Even though the restaurant owner had told her that they were not hiring, once he interviewed Dominik, he hired him on the spot because he was so impressed. “He looked good and was well prepared for the interview,” she says. 

“Dominik was like a sponge – he wanted to learn all that he could,” says Ms. Burgess. “He’s a respectful guy. He never rushes you; he’s trusting. If you show him respect and share your expectations, he follows through with it.” 

She says Dominik learned not to panic if things don’t go as planned. “He had a problem with a rent check, and he handled it calmly. He came up with a solution, and recognized the need for a back-up plan.” 

Now, a year later, Dominick says working with the reentry counselor “helped me learn to be more independent in life. 

“Ms. Burgess wouldn’t let me slack,” he says. “She’s like my second mother.” 

Now living in his own apartment and working in a restaurant, Dominik, 20, says his relationship with his parents has improved and life is better. 

“You can do more than you think.” 

 

 

Jesse’s Story: In the flow  

Whether playing jazz, classic rock or hard core, Jesse and his guitar are like one instrument – finely tuned and ready for the next riff on life.  

But a few years ago, that wasn’t the case. At 16, Jesse was having problems at home, and when the conflicts got too much for him to take, he ran away.  

He spent some time in the Crisis Center and then Westhaven Boys Home. Jesse said the counselors “listened and helped me as much as they could. They cared.” When there were conflicts in the home, he says the counselors helped him to learn patience and how to deal with problems.  

Jesse completed his GED while living at Westhaven and began to see that there was a direction forming for his life. The counselors there helped him see things differently and get ready for the next step in his life.  

Because of Jesse’s keen musical interest and talent, the TYS Foundation connected him with local celebrity and musician Lewis McGehee. Staff members accompanied Jesse to McGehee’s studio for a couple of recording sessions and Jesse left with his own CD! 

“Mr. McGehee and I played guitars together,” says Jesse, who describes his style as “acoustic punk.” “It was pretty awesome.” Jesse is now enjoying playing some gigs at the popular teen retail store Hot Topic and hoping to use the recordings to market himself.  

Now, ironically, Jesse is living back at home and things are going well. At 18, he’s working in a fast food restaurant and planning to join the military. Later he wants to pursue a career in music or criminal justice.  

Since November Jesse has been working with a counselor, receiving aftercare services through the Post-Release Transition Program. He’s learning important life skills such as communication and budgeting, as well as getting help applying for admission to community college and the military. He is also working on job skills and getting ready to get his driver’s license.  

“My counselor is helping me get my life together,” says Jesse. “She’s amazing.” 

He’s come a long way. “I realize that there are things that you can’t control and that you just have to go with the flow,” Jesse says.