KEVIN

I was adopted at birth by two loving parents and raised in Novato.  Today, I am working at Toscalito Tire and have my own home in Vallejo and a dog Zeus. Although I had my material needs covered growing up, emotionally I felt alone in the world.  I often wondered where I came from, who my birth Mom was and how I fit into the world.  I spent 7 years in therapy, participated in a 28 day Wilderness Rehab program in the Nevada desert trying to figure this out. I eventually graduated from Phoenix High School in Marin.

There were several key events in my life that put me on a new path that focused on social justice and social change for youth.  1) I met Jimmy, AHO youth outreach advisor, and started to get involved with other youth who were struggling. 2) Next, I changed the social group I was hanging out with and started spending time with youth committed to helping others. 3) A year ago I met my birth Mom and my other brother and sister for the first time. This event was critical in helping me connect to the power inside myself in a way that therapy never did.  Through these 3 life-altering events, I was now taking ownership of my life and how I viewed myself.  I started making different choices. I also accepted responsibility for the consequences of those choices (whether good or bad) and kept trying to do better.  One of my strengths I am proud of is how easily I can relate to people of all ages and ethnicities. This has helped me in my work with AHO.

My personal goals are to become financially independent and have a self-sustaining organic farm to raise animals and produce.  My goals for AHO are to assist in any way I can to bring funding and national attention to the AHO program model that is helping me and so many other youth find hope and meaning in their lives. [Return to Youth Stories]