"Your friends are your future!"
It was another case staffing meeting with a teenager & his parent. Nothing out of the ordinary for my work day, teen running away, hanging with the wrong group of kids & his Mom scared to death. Poor decisions & the company you keep can lead young people down a dead end road....often times, leave them dead.
This young man had a heartfelt smile, eyes that twinkled with excitement & had loads of potential for a successful future.
"Tell me about your friends." I always say to young people. "Do you want what they have? Do they make positive decisions?"
What do you think their answers are usually?
Nah, they skip school, they do drugs, they steal, runaway, etc. etc.
This boy had the typical situation I see a lot as a Delinquency Prevention Specialist. A young man with loads of potential, from a good, loving home, hanging with 'friends' that are not making positive choices.
"Your friends are your future."
This was my last quote to this young man before his 'friends' shot & killed him.
My heart is broken for his Mom. This was her baby. Her pride & joy. Now, she will be laying his body to rest. While his 'friends' keep making poor decisions that effect others & themselves, this teen has no life left to change his 'friends'.
Why am I a Youth Speaker? Why do I want to motivate & be a Speaker for teens? How can I be a Youth Motivational Speaker?
It's no longer about me & what Tina wants...it's about saving our young people.