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April 10, 2009
submitted
Local R.O.P. student tells his story of gangs, drugs, and alcohol to Fernley Freshmen to inspire better decisions.
Students at Rite of Passage have been working alongside youth motivational speaker, Brian Williams, to find ways to turn their life of mishaps and bad decisions into speeches to drive local teens to make better choices. “My life was rough, family divided into two different gangs, surrounded by drugs and violence, being raised to not fear anyone, and to despise the law. I don’t regret what I’ve done, because without it, I wouldn’t be able to change, and possibly save someone else’s life.” Says R.O.P student athlete Jose.
The Rite of Passage Q-House is a group home that admits troubled teens spanning from Southern California to Indiana. Each student stays with the program for an average term of 9 months. “I’ve accomplished and learned more things than I would have ever imagined. I’ve ridden a bike across the State of Nevada, flown an airplane, skied, mountain biked in Lake Tahoe, camped in Death Valley, and I will be scuba diving next week. . . then my high school diploma!” says student athlete Eric.
Rite of Passage has been improving the lives of teens for the past 25 years and with drugs and alcohol quickly penetrating our local schools, they are taking their coaching to a whole new level. “As a student looks at his life story as one that could save someone’s life, their eyes light up. They put chills on your skin, and for some, tears down your cheek, they make gang movies seem like a walk in the park” Says Williams. Rite of Passage’s student speaker was born and raised in the Reno area. “He has a story that hits close to home. Yes, problems like these do not only happen in big cities, but small ones as well.” Says Williams.
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