Success Stories

The reason I was sent to this program was because I wasn’t following the terms of probation, missing school, and failing a drug test. I should have followed my agreement so this wouldn’t have extended so far to the point where I’m in the program.
Now that I have completed the program, I feel like it’s been a lesson learned and that I’m ready to go on with my life with a new perspective on things. Realizing the consequences and harm that doing something bad can cause for yourself and others. Also knowing that the younger generation will be watching and listening to what older kids do and following in their footsteps. I should make positive choices showing others the right way to do things and the negative impact it causes on people to do the wrong thing. So when I get back to school I will stay away from negative things that can get me in trouble. I will try my best to help others stay away from those situations too.
Learning to change my attitude is also one of the most important things I learned while in the program with them teaching me classes such as anger management. It helped me control my anger and not care about others who try to provoke me to show aggression and get upset. Also social skills helped me see how to approach someone in a calm manner and show them respect in a conversation. I learned about empathy which showed me how to put yourself in someone else’ shoes and see how they feel instead of only caring about yourself. Also made me realize that things aren’t always how I see them and most of the time I overstep boundaries not knowing the full story or reasoning and get upset anyways.

-Participant

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I was ordered to the program because I was under the influence at my public school. I stand here today because I made a choice. That choice was going to school. I could have done many things that day that wouldn’t have left me leaving this speech. I could have not gone to school and I could have refused to use that pen. I could have just taken the bus to school so I wouldn’t have seen the person who offered me a hit. But I made the wrong choice which led me to where I stand right now.
Not everyone believed I was going to finish the program, people mostly believed that I was gonna finish my school year in jail, I think I should be able to graduate because no matter how many people wanted to see me fall I kept pushing, no matter how many people wanted to see me fall I kept pushing no matter how much work my teachers gave me, I completed it all within the due date. This program has changed me day by day I use to be a really mean and angry person because I use to build up my anger and let it out on somebody else that did not deserve I have built more perseverance and have more respect for everything and people in authority.
Because of this program I have learned a lot through my time here. I learned how to get ready for a job interview, how to present yourself, how to talk to the manager and the do and don’ts because of this program, I learned how to manage and channel my anger appropriately. Anger management had helped me become more responsible in certain situations and how to use self-control. Empathy and character ed have to be the best things I have learned over all because without empathy I wouldn’t have a heart for people especially for people in need, if I have 10 dollars and I just need five and so do you. I split that ten and give you five dollars. We both have five dollars. Without character education I wouldn’t have respect for anything, not for myself, not for others, not for anyone’s property and especially who’s in authority. I have never learned about character ed. I wouldn’t have as much respect for people as I do today. l respect everyone.

-Participant

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I was ordered to the program because I was already on probation for truancy and then I kept skipping school over and over again, and I kept failing my classes and assigned to come to this program.
I could have just pushed through, actually gone to school, and avoided the drama. Instead I got in my own head and convinced myself that it was impossible for me to get up in the mornings and catch the bus.
I should graduate and return to school because for 55 days I have gotten up and got on the van and came here everyday. I genuinely want to go back to school. I miss my friends. I miss the normal school work. I miss my teachers. Since I have started this program, I have gotten more confident in myself. I do my chores. I help my dad around the house more. I talk to people more. I’m not as depressed as I was when I first started here. I found a good therapist and a good doctor. I’ve gotten my medication regulated and I am so much happier. Everyone that supported me helped me get over my grandpa’s passing. When I go back to school, I will go to school everyday, and when I don’t, It’ll be properly excused. I’ll keep up with my work and ask for help when I need it and when I get depressed I will talk to my therapist or someone that can help me.
I learned from several classes throughout the program that all had different impacts on me. One program reminded me to check on people and be sure to listen to them so they know that someone is there to listen. Another class really made me think about what I want to do with my life down the road that I hadn’t really put much thought into. The next class helped me learn that I shouldn’t have given up on arts and craft projects just because of doing a bad job. It made me realize that I am better at other forms than just painting on a canvas, and I also had a really good time with everyone in the class with me.

-Participant

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I was careless, impatient, and was with the wrong crowd. Now, I am more focused on doing the right thing instead of doing what’s cool. I didn’t come into this class thinking I would come out better, but I did. I learned something new every week and I’m very thankful I got the chance to experience something good out of the bad situation I got myself into. Thank you!

-Participant

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I was a self-centered teenager that cared about nobody but me and the people that led me into the bad decisions I made. I never listened to what anybody said, I did what I wanted until now.
This program has showed me it doesn’t matter what other people think, just do what I think is best for me. I am now a respectful guy that listens to advice to lead me in the right direction, to make my life more successful.

-Participant

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Thank you very much for teaching this class. I am so grateful for this experience of growth and development. I learned that even though I was reckless before, I can be so much more. Now that I have taken this class I am responsible. I now stand up for not only myself, but others as well. Not only this, but I have learned the consequences for any illegal actions, and how to avoid situations that involve any illegal actions. This class has truly changed my life.

-Participant

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When I started the program I was a very different person than I am today. I was rude and disrespectful to my family and the people who tried to help me. I had no motivation to do anything and I didn’t care what happened to me or where I ended up. I was in denial and I didn’t truly believe what I was doing was wrong.
Today, I am a productive member of my society. I am aware of myself and I am selfess towards my peers and my family. I have responsibility for myself and I am a person of integrity. I believe that I am going to have a good future ahead of me. Thank you to everybody at CSI.

-Participant