This is actually a very easy topic for me. This place that I am going to tell you about means everything to me. Honestly, it probably saved my life. To give a quick set up, I was a pre-teen, the oldest of 8 kids, and felt out of place. I didn’t feel like I was getting the attention, or the love from my mother, or the man that was living with us at the time that my other siblings were receiving. After staying out all night, stealing money from my mother for about a year, I was sent away to a group home. St. Joseph’s was the name of the place where I spent 6 years, from 7th grade until I graduated high school. When I arrived, I was this nerdy, unathletic, scared of my own shadow kid. St. Joe’s simply transformed me, set the stage for me in becoming the man I am today. The counselors were of different backgrounds, ages, male and female both. As a matter of fact, as a side note, one of our female counselors who was actually a nun, who I had a huge crush on. She eventually, left the convent, and got married, but I digress. I learned to play sports, becoming captain, and one of the star athletes on campus. Because I was still that nerd, I went to school off campus, shoutout to PVC Middle School & Croton-Harmon High where I learned not only scholastically, but culturally as well, being one of a handful of African Americans at the school. But I learned to be a leader, developed empathy, which got me working with younger kids, as a coach, as a mentor. My first girlfriend was from the group home, as it was coed. Where the confidence was totally nonexistent, when I arrived, I was completely the opposite 6 years later. I graduated from high school, went on to college, found my niche as a broadcasting major. I learned about the “finer things” in life. Most importantly, I learned how to become a man, a strong, black man, how to be a father!!! 3 months before my arrival, I was contemplating suicide. St. Joseph’s home, in Peekskill, NY. rescued me, transformed me, quite simply saved my life!!! It no longer exists, but I DO EXIST because of them.