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Last year Rachel was in the ninth grade and
had no hope of what the future would bring her way. She was having
problems at school, such as truancy, suspensions due to fighting and
failing grades in every class and eventually ended up in the juvenile
justice system. Luckily for Rachel, local juvenile authorities referred
her to Camp Fire USA’s
Alterative Education program in March 2002 as a
condition of her probation.
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Rachel had a challenging childhood. Her
mother abandoned her at birth, her father became incarcerated and she
was forced to live alone with her grandmother. In this difficult
situation, Rachel became involved in negative relationship that
eventually got her placed into the Juvenile Justice System. Thankfully,
she was referred to Camp Fire USA's Alternative Education program.
Camp Fire USA's staff recognized that Rachel was a good kid who knew
what she wanted out of life, but that she desperately needed intense
supervision and guidance.
“With the help of the Alternative Education program, Rachel has become
excited about school and her education,” says Chris Johnson, Program
Director of the Alternative Education program. “Camp Fire has helped
her focus on building her strengths, while overcoming her weaknesses.”
Over the six months of Rachel’s involvement in the Alternative
Education program (the program is designed to last between four to six
months), she made great strides and is now excited about school and her
education. Thanks to Camp Fire’s program and the hard work of many
case workers, Rachel has become very responsible, independent and is now
willing to go the extra mile to reach success.
“Camp Fire has made me understand why school is important,” says
Rachel. “I plan on attending college and having a successful career
someday.”
All of Rachel’s behavioral problems have been eliminated and she
attends school regularly. She successfully completed summer school last
summer, while working full-time at a local restaurant. Rachel still
maintains contact with Camp Fire staff with the understanding that she
is always welcome.
Camp Fire USA congratulates Rachel for her dedication to improving her
life.
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