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When he was in the 2nd grade he tried marijuana for the first time and by the 6th grade he had a real
substance abuse problem. Joseph then began to sell drugs for his uncle. When he was caught he
ran away from home to get away from the law, moving in with his father. Joseph recalls opening the
fridge because he was hungry and finding the fridge full of beer cans with no food to be found. His
half sister came to take him away from his dad. Joseph soon realized that she was abusive too.
Joseph's most vivid memory while living with his half sister was when her son, his nephew, walked in
the room and began to beat him senseless at the sister's request. Joseph would try to muster up the
strength to physically lift his body off of the ground and walk away. Each time this would happen, his
nephew would begin to beat him again.
Another of Joseph's seven sisters, Antoinette, found out about this situation and stepped in and asked
if Joseph would like to move to Hawaii with her. He agreed excitedly ready to make a new start.
However, while in Hawaii, Joseph overdosed for the first time. He was around age sixteen on
morphine pills given to him by a family member. He remembers taking fourteen pills and blacking
out. He woke up in the hospital to a frustrated Antoinette slapping his face. She apologized and
quickly reminded him to think about his actions and what he is doing with his life. Antoinette was
ready for a new start with her little brother and thought Arkansas would be a great place to have that
brand new life. Before Joseph had left Palau he made a promise to his mom. He would return home
with a high school diploma. He started on that track in Springdale where he quickly learned that he
had some catching up to do. He could attend regular public school and graduate at age 21 or he
could go to the Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) and graduate 2 years earlier.
While attending Springdale ALE Joseph pursued work and was invited to join the Youth Strategies
team working in the Community Bike Shop. Joseph has a great desire for the future and a real hope.
He now stands out as a leader among his peers and displays a strong work ethic. Most mornings
Joseph's ride to work backs out on him, in which case he begins the long walk or bike ride to the
Youth Strategies office. He is so thankful for the opportunity to work and help support his sister. He
gives her his entire check to help support them yet holds back $10 to buy a phone card to call his
mom and tell her he is doing good. Joseph says that working for Youth Strategies has helped him
recognize the difference between good and bad choices. It has taught him how to show respect for
others while earning that same respect back. He has worked on his communication skills and has
learned the importance of working on a team. He says, “This place (work) is like home. It is
comfortable and you just don’t want to leave.” Joseph said "Mike and Youth Strategies have lead me to
something good, a better life and they teach me how to make the right choice." Joseph is
concentrating on his future. He is setting goals. He says, "Life ain't easy, but I’m on the right road
now." He wants to show others that there is hope for them too.
substance abuse problem. Joseph then began to sell drugs for his uncle. When he was caught he
ran away from home to get away from the law, moving in with his father. Joseph recalls opening the
fridge because he was hungry and finding the fridge full of beer cans with no food to be found. His
half sister came to take him away from his dad. Joseph soon realized that she was abusive too.
Joseph's most vivid memory while living with his half sister was when her son, his nephew, walked in
the room and began to beat him senseless at the sister's request. Joseph would try to muster up the
strength to physically lift his body off of the ground and walk away. Each time this would happen, his
nephew would begin to beat him again.
Another of Joseph's seven sisters, Antoinette, found out about this situation and stepped in and asked
if Joseph would like to move to Hawaii with her. He agreed excitedly ready to make a new start.
However, while in Hawaii, Joseph overdosed for the first time. He was around age sixteen on
morphine pills given to him by a family member. He remembers taking fourteen pills and blacking
out. He woke up in the hospital to a frustrated Antoinette slapping his face. She apologized and
quickly reminded him to think about his actions and what he is doing with his life. Antoinette was
ready for a new start with her little brother and thought Arkansas would be a great place to have that
brand new life. Before Joseph had left Palau he made a promise to his mom. He would return home
with a high school diploma. He started on that track in Springdale where he quickly learned that he
had some catching up to do. He could attend regular public school and graduate at age 21 or he
could go to the Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) and graduate 2 years earlier.
While attending Springdale ALE Joseph pursued work and was invited to join the Youth Strategies
team working in the Community Bike Shop. Joseph has a great desire for the future and a real hope.
He now stands out as a leader among his peers and displays a strong work ethic. Most mornings
Joseph's ride to work backs out on him, in which case he begins the long walk or bike ride to the
Youth Strategies office. He is so thankful for the opportunity to work and help support his sister. He
gives her his entire check to help support them yet holds back $10 to buy a phone card to call his
mom and tell her he is doing good. Joseph says that working for Youth Strategies has helped him
recognize the difference between good and bad choices. It has taught him how to show respect for
others while earning that same respect back. He has worked on his communication skills and has
learned the importance of working on a team. He says, “This place (work) is like home. It is
comfortable and you just don’t want to leave.” Joseph said "Mike and Youth Strategies have lead me to
something good, a better life and they teach me how to make the right choice." Joseph is
concentrating on his future. He is setting goals. He says, "Life ain't easy, but I’m on the right road
now." He wants to show others that there is hope for them too.
Feature Stories
Island life was pretty great for young Joseph. Around age 5
Joseph would spend his days in the hot sun harvesting his
uncle's fields of marijuana. He didn't know anything about
what he was doing except what his uncle would tell him.
"See how the flowers smell so good Joseph?" his uncle
would say. Joseph didn't realize that there was anything
wrong with what his uncle was doing until much later. His
parent’s relationship was rocky while he was young. His
father was an alcoholic and his mother didn't want any part of
it. They separated after Joseph's sister was born.
Joseph would spend his days in the hot sun harvesting his
uncle's fields of marijuana. He didn't know anything about
what he was doing except what his uncle would tell him.
"See how the flowers smell so good Joseph?" his uncle
would say. Joseph didn't realize that there was anything
wrong with what his uncle was doing until much later. His
parent’s relationship was rocky while he was young. His
father was an alcoholic and his mother didn't want any part of
it. They separated after Joseph's sister was born.
| Copyright 2005-2010 Youth Strategies, PO Box 107, Springdale AR 72765 |
Joseph's Story
| "...Youth Strategies lead me to something good, a better life and they teach me how to make the right choice." |
Feature Stories