Page 10 - AnnualReportFlip-2014
P. 10
Positive Impact
Justin – age 16
Brooklyn, NY
Justin’s father is in prison, and they haven’t seen each other in three years. Justin says Berkshire’s workforce
So Justin’s uncle, an alcoholic, became his father igure and mentor. Then
his uncle died. So Justin hid. He stopped going to school. He started cutting program changed his life, keeping
himself. He turned to drugs and alcohol. He was in 8th grade.
him off of the streets and away
“My life was going down the drain,” Justin says. from drugs. It also instilled in him
Something had to give and Justin’s mom enrolled him at Berkshire. He a fierce work ethic.
moved in, attended classes, and began working in the school’s horticulture
program. Justin loves animals and has always harbored the dream of “I love working with the animals. I’m dedicated to them. In a way, I feel
becoming a veterinarian. like they are my babies,” Justin says. “It feels amazing to work hard and
to be able to buy things with my own money instead of the money my
“I grew up on the poor side. I never thought it would be possible to go mom earned.”
to college. I’d think of becoming a vet, but never thought I could actually
get there,” Justin says. “Now I know I can get there. I will make my family
proud. I will do anything to make my family proud.”
Justin – age 16
Brooklyn, NY
Justin’s father is in prison, and they haven’t seen each other in three years. Justin says Berkshire’s workforce
So Justin’s uncle, an alcoholic, became his father igure and mentor. Then
his uncle died. So Justin hid. He stopped going to school. He started cutting program changed his life, keeping
himself. He turned to drugs and alcohol. He was in 8th grade.
him off of the streets and away
“My life was going down the drain,” Justin says. from drugs. It also instilled in him
Something had to give and Justin’s mom enrolled him at Berkshire. He a fierce work ethic.
moved in, attended classes, and began working in the school’s horticulture
program. Justin loves animals and has always harbored the dream of “I love working with the animals. I’m dedicated to them. In a way, I feel
becoming a veterinarian. like they are my babies,” Justin says. “It feels amazing to work hard and
to be able to buy things with my own money instead of the money my
“I grew up on the poor side. I never thought it would be possible to go mom earned.”
to college. I’d think of becoming a vet, but never thought I could actually
get there,” Justin says. “Now I know I can get there. I will make my family
proud. I will do anything to make my family proud.”
