Steps.

Forward. Back. Sideways. Over. Around. Up. Down.

The youth served by New Avenues for Youth know all too well about taking steps.  It’s safe to say that prior to getting connected to NAFY, the step they were most familiar with was … back.  Not necessarily by choice.  When you’re homeless it’s tough to know what choices you have … aside from the choice to survive.  These youth have lived on the streets.  They’ve lived under bridges.  They’ve lived in the woods.  They’ve learned the majority of their lessons the hard way.  For every step forward, there were twice as many steps back.  Sideways.  Down.  And around.

But survival is a powerful choice.  And somehow, because of that one choice they knew they had.  That one choice they knew they wanted.  They found their way to New Avenues for Youth.  A giant step forward.  A step that helped them realize that they, in fact, have a lot of choices in their lives.  They also have a lot of support.

A conscious pattern of steps forward ensued … that led to a special graduation ceremony last week.

I’ve attended a lot of graduation ceremonies.  Heard celebrities and politicians speak.  Seen massive crowds gather.  When I arrived at the New Avenues for Youth graduation ceremony it was clear that this would be the smallest one I had attended.  The youths were there to receive their GEDs.  A step many of them never thought about taking.  Or achieving.  But they did.  And on this day, a small group of formerly homeless youth outshone the crowds and famous speakers at other ceremonies.  In ten years, I won’t remember most of the speeches I’ve heard at graduation ceremonies.  But I’ll remember these youth.  I’ll remember their words.  Words delivered with a level of pride and confidence that can only come when you’ve taken all the wrong steps … to finally take the right ones.  They waved their arms in the air and shouted out in joy as they walked across the stage to receive their certificates.  Small steps have never seemed so significant.

As I looked around at the faces in the room … all I saw was pride.  Pride in knowing that this day … this ceremony … represents something greater than the passing and receiving of a certificate.  It represents the first of many successes for these youth.  It is a shining example of the wonderful work New Avenues for Youth does every day.  These young people stepped away from street life and its countless limitations, and through their connection to NAFY, they stepped into a new, productive life … with countless opportunities.

They now trust … that for every step back.  Sideways.  Down.  And around.  There will be twice as many ….

Steps.  Forward.

www.newavenues.org