How one young man is building independence
– and coming back to help others.
Last summer, a young man in our Canal House Redmond Transitional Living Program reached two major milestones – on the very same day.
That morning, at just 17 years old, he walked across the stage in a cap and gown to receive his GED. It was the result of months of showing up, working hard, and pushing through challenges to pass his classes.
Later that same day, he was handed another set of keys – the keys to his very first apartment.
For many young people, these moments might happen years apart. For him, they marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter.
Since then, he has been living independently and truly making the space his own. His apartment reflects his personality, and he takes pride in keeping it neat, clean, and comfortable – a place that feels like home.
Like many young adults just starting out, he is still figuring out his path. He has tried several jobs, searching for the right fit and learning what he enjoys. Rather than seeing this as a setback, staff see it as part of the journey – a young person exploring his options and building the skills needed for long-term success.
What stands out most, though, is not just his progress – it’s the way he continues to stay connected.
Even after leaving the program, he regularly calls staff to check in, ask questions, or simply say hello. Sometimes he asks if he can stop by to visit or spend time with youth who are currently in the program.
His presence is a powerful reminder that the relationships built here don’t end when a young person moves on.
When he first arrived, he struggled with some of the program’s rules and expectations. Like many youth, he didn’t always understand why the structure was there.
Now, he finds himself explaining it to others.
When he visits, he talks with current youth about how the program works and why those expectations matter. He reassures them that the structure is there to support their success – something he now understands from the other side.
One moment this past year stood out in a special way.
On New Year’s Eve, now 18 years old, he could have been celebrating anywhere. Instead, he reached out to staff and asked if he could come spend the evening at the program.
Of course, the answer was yes.
That night happened to be Wednesday – the program’s life skills group. The activity was creating vision boards focused on housing, goals, and the future.
He jumped right in.
Not only did he participate, but he began sharing advice with current youth about things he wished he had known before living on his own – how to pay electric bills, file taxes, submit maintenance requests, and set realistic goals for the future.
For the youth in the room, hearing this from someone who had just walked the same path carried a special kind of weight.
As they worked on their vision boards, everyone shared dinner together, talking, laughing, and imagining what their own futures might look like.
Moments like that remind us that this program remains a safe and meaningful place for young people – even after they’ve moved on.
His visits have had another unexpected impact as well.
When a new youth arrived who spoke only Spanish, he initially struggled to feel comfortable. No one else spoke his language, and he hadn’t yet made friends.
But when this former youth stopped by one day, he was able to speak with him in Spanish. That simple conversation brought an immediate sense of connection and belonging.
Since then, the two have exchanged phone numbers and stayed in touch.
It’s a small gesture – but one that shows how powerful shared experiences can be.
Stories like his remind us that the impact of this work doesn’t stop when a young person leaves the program. When youth engage with the opportunities around them, they grow – and often return to lift others along the way.
Sometimes, the most meaningful measure of success is seeing someone come back through the door, not because they need help, but because they want to give it.