When you’re young, you don’t always think about the consequences of your actions.
You might also mistakenly believe you’re invincible.
If you’re in the habit of thinking only about the benefits of doing what you want while discounting the hazards of engaging in risky behavior, you could find yourself in some serious trouble.
Life doesn’t come with an unlimited supply of chances.
This was the lesson Brandin learned after he violated his probation.
“I didn’t listen,” he says. “I thought they would just extend my probation period. I didn’t think I’d actually lose my freedom.”
Because Brandin was under 18 when he became court-involved, his case (and subsequent probation violation) was handled under New York’s Raise the Age legislation.
“The judge and lawyer were amazing,” recalls Brandin’s mom Alicia. “I was so scared. They suggested we look at the Raise the Age program at The William George Agency. The alternative was New York City, and I didn’t want him to go where I thought he would have a greater risk of getting involved in more negative stuff and exposure to gangs. It was the hardest choice as a parent to let him go. Nobody wants to see your kid get handcuffed.”
For youth involved in the juvenile justice system where remaining in the community is no longer an option, the William George Agency (WGA) offers out-of-home treatment services in a stable and safe living environment.
“People mistakenly think our highly structured environment means we are a high security environment,” says former Chief Program Officer and Executive Advocate Gabriel Tornusciolo, Psy.D. “Our staff are fearless by way of compassion. Our therapeutic culture supports self-discovery, personal accountability and healing. Any interaction can become a teachable moment.”
Every day, trained staff and experienced clinicians support youth in establishing pro-social behavior and healthier adaptive coping mechanisms. Youth focus on achieving personal wellness goals and living in a manner that supports their reintegration into the community. The primary goal of the RTA program is to prevent recidivism.
“WGA staff are so professional. They understand,” says Brandin’s mom. “So many are level-headed and calm, and the facility is so positive.”
When Brandin came to WGA in April 2023 he was quite surprised to see a pond on campus and eager to get accepted into the Auto Tech Shop vocational program.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I love fishing, and it’s been my dream to restore cars and make them nicer than they are,” he says. He was going to give the place a chance.
Not wanting to dwell in the past, Brandin isn’t proud of the behavior that led him to WGA, but 7 months later he’s grateful for what he’s learned in the short time he’s been there.
Like the importance of a structured day.
Regular weekly counseling sessions combined with consistent educational, recreational and vocational activities helped him mature in more ways than one.
“WGA has taught me how to quiet my mind, especially at night,” he says. “They helped me improve my mental health and sense of purpose.”
By ‘they’ Brandin’s referring to his youth-centered, interdisciplinary treatment team. Every youth gets one when they arrive on campus.
“For the longest time from the youngest age, Brandin would take off. Then he started hanging out with the wrong crowd,” recalls his mom. “He just wouldn’t listen. After being at WGA for a little while, Brandin came home one day and told me ‘I’m riding horses now.’ The horse was his anxiety reliever. I saw a sensitive side to my son I’d not seen. Before going to WGA, my son had dropped out of school. At WGA, he finished high school. His attitude changed and he applied himself. He wants to go to college now so he can own his own auto mechanic shop. He’s more planful.”
“We prepare our students for real-world applications,” explains Jeremy Smith, Auto Mechanic Supervisor at WGA. “We worked with Brandin to get him more into that day-to-day technician routine. He’s worked on wheel bearings, to brakes, to rotors, to AC compressors. Done oil changes and general maintenance work. All that he would be expected to do if he was working at an auto shop in the community. He knows the steps he has to go through. He punches a time clock like you would on a job. He’s even become a mentor for other kids in our shop.”
Over time, the progress Brandin made in reaching his personal goals created an opportunity for him to get an internship off campus at Whyte’s Auto Service.
“They’ve asked me to stay on,” he says with a smile. He’s considering it.* The problem to solve is how to juggle the distance between a job and college after WGA.
“I’m going to college for diesel and regular auto mechanics because I always wanted to own a diesel but never knew how to work on them. So I feel like all of this will tie together and hopefully help me out with this passion I have.”
Integral to WGA programming is guided self-discovery. It helps young men like Brandin examine their experiences, thoughts and actions in a non-judgmental manner. It aids their personal growth and self-awareness.
*Since this interview, Brandin moved into aftercare services from WGA and has been accepted to college for Automotive studies.