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Patrick was born to a 17 year old teen mom named Heather.
His father’s name was Terry. Terry was not ready to be a dad
and did little to care for his family. Patrick grew up with the
knowledge that he was someone his father did not want
around. Eventually Terry would run off with another woman
leaving Heather and Patrick alone to fend for themselves. It is
an all too familiar story. “You don’t know what kind of stress
a young man deals with not having a dad,” said Patrick
recalling his memories of his dad’s departure.
His father’s name was Terry. Terry was not ready to be a dad
and did little to care for his family. Patrick grew up with the
knowledge that he was someone his father did not want
around. Eventually Terry would run off with another woman
leaving Heather and Patrick alone to fend for themselves. It is
an all too familiar story. “You don’t know what kind of stress
a young man deals with not having a dad,” said Patrick
recalling his memories of his dad’s departure.
| "You don't know what kind of stress a young man deals with not having a dad" |
Patrick's Story
Feature Stories
Patrick’s mom had a difficult time providing for herself and her young son. She often was short when it
came to utilities, food and rent. Patrick recalls one time when his mother told him to be quiet as the
police banged on the door of their small home before serving their eviction notice. Patrick speaks with
great admiration of his mother for all she did to look out for him. Patrick says, “She really loves to help
people and has made it through some really tough times.” Heather loved to help people but
sometimes it got her into vulnerable positions. She soon found herself in another relationship with a
man she thought she could change. She thought she could break him of his addiction to Meth.
Patrick remembers a time when he and his new little brother watched as his step dad lay convulsing
in the living room. When Patrick asked what was wrong, his mom responded, “He’s tweeking.” The
term describes the withdrawals people go through with a Meth addiction. Necessity is the mother of
invention and for Patrick, it was absolutely necessary for him to grow up quick. So he did. He had to
learn how to be the man of the house. He had to become the one who was responsible. He was the
one who made sure everyone was ready for the day. He matured quickly.
As Patrick grew older he realized that he struggled to pay attention in class, a predicament that would
later be diagnosed as ADD. Falling behind in school led to relationships with other students that had
consequences. Patrick began to run with the wrong crowd which would lead first to experimenting with
drugs and eventually to regular use. It looked like the cycle his father had lived was about to repeat
itself. Patrick justified it by saying it helped him to focus better. The truth was it was an escape. These
changes in behavior as well as poor performance in the classroom led to Patrick’s transfer to the
Alternative Learning Environment in Springdale (ALE). It was here that he would begin to re-evaluate
his life. He was around so many teens who had wrecked their lives with drugs. He was ready for a
change. “Drugs are the reason why I don’t have a dad. I just don’t find it really something I want to do
at all because I see what other people are going through…living a really ghetto life…not realizing what
is good for them.”
Through the Northwest Arkansas Youth Development Collaborative, Patrick learned of an opportunity
to get a summer Job through the WorkForce Center. Patrick was eventually placed with Youth
Strategies’ Community Bike Shop. “I didn’t know a job like this or people like you existed” said Patrick
when referring to his experience at Youth Strategies. Since the end of his summer experience he has
been able to obtain a job at Wal-Mart. He has quit drugs and has become involved with a local youth
group. He has developed goals and to that end, has decided he wants to go to college. He has
petitioned to be transferred back to his former High School and should be back there this coming
semester. He has learned that if you believe, anything can happen!
came to utilities, food and rent. Patrick recalls one time when his mother told him to be quiet as the
police banged on the door of their small home before serving their eviction notice. Patrick speaks with
great admiration of his mother for all she did to look out for him. Patrick says, “She really loves to help
people and has made it through some really tough times.” Heather loved to help people but
sometimes it got her into vulnerable positions. She soon found herself in another relationship with a
man she thought she could change. She thought she could break him of his addiction to Meth.
Patrick remembers a time when he and his new little brother watched as his step dad lay convulsing
in the living room. When Patrick asked what was wrong, his mom responded, “He’s tweeking.” The
term describes the withdrawals people go through with a Meth addiction. Necessity is the mother of
invention and for Patrick, it was absolutely necessary for him to grow up quick. So he did. He had to
learn how to be the man of the house. He had to become the one who was responsible. He was the
one who made sure everyone was ready for the day. He matured quickly.
As Patrick grew older he realized that he struggled to pay attention in class, a predicament that would
later be diagnosed as ADD. Falling behind in school led to relationships with other students that had
consequences. Patrick began to run with the wrong crowd which would lead first to experimenting with
drugs and eventually to regular use. It looked like the cycle his father had lived was about to repeat
itself. Patrick justified it by saying it helped him to focus better. The truth was it was an escape. These
changes in behavior as well as poor performance in the classroom led to Patrick’s transfer to the
Alternative Learning Environment in Springdale (ALE). It was here that he would begin to re-evaluate
his life. He was around so many teens who had wrecked their lives with drugs. He was ready for a
change. “Drugs are the reason why I don’t have a dad. I just don’t find it really something I want to do
at all because I see what other people are going through…living a really ghetto life…not realizing what
is good for them.”
Through the Northwest Arkansas Youth Development Collaborative, Patrick learned of an opportunity
to get a summer Job through the WorkForce Center. Patrick was eventually placed with Youth
Strategies’ Community Bike Shop. “I didn’t know a job like this or people like you existed” said Patrick
when referring to his experience at Youth Strategies. Since the end of his summer experience he has
been able to obtain a job at Wal-Mart. He has quit drugs and has become involved with a local youth
group. He has developed goals and to that end, has decided he wants to go to college. He has
petitioned to be transferred back to his former High School and should be back there this coming
semester. He has learned that if you believe, anything can happen!
| Copyright 2005-2010 Youth Strategies, PO Box 107, Springdale AR 72765 |