Terrance's Story

Graduated West Town Academy 2008

"Green Job" certified, seeking construction jobs

"I'd like to tell you a little about myself. I grew up in the DCFS system because of a dysfunctional home life. As a ward of the state, I had several placements, including juvenile detention.

Because I felt like no one cared about me, I cared very little about myself. I got into trouble and associated with the wrong crowd. I am thankful that I was placed at Jamal Place's DeAngelis House.

At DeAngelis House, I found a group of people who were not just "staff". They became family to me. They provided me with guidance, consistency, structure, and love. They constantly told me that I am somebody. They enrolled me at Greater West Town School where I was blessed to experience another group of caring people who worked with DeAngelis House to help me to believe in myself and what I can achieve.

I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers and staff.

Today, I can say without a doubt that I am somebody! I have a higher level of self- esteem. I know that I am on my way to being a successful man. I know that with hard work and determination I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I have a high school diploma now, I am only he fourth person in my family to receive one. I recently completed training at the Green Collar Project. I plan to continue my education and training and go on to a productive career in the trucking industry. I plan on saving the monies received to assist with housing or other needs. I want to thank the staff of DeAngelis House (my extended family), and the staff at both Greater West Town, and the Green Collar Project for helping me turn my life into a positive path."

Graduated High School: 2007

Living in a transitional living program in the south suburbs-looking for employment

I know that God wants me to be successful. I am the first one to graduate from high school in my whole family.

I could have done what my family did and get involved with gangs, but I did the right thing. I have to be a success for God and me.

Jamal Place and God helped me make the right decisions. I plan on going to culinary school in the fall.

I want to thank everyone who helped me understand that I can be somebody.

Graduated Morton West High School 2007

Employed part-time at Jamal Place for housekeeping/maintenance work and part-time inventory through a private company

"I want to tell you why I chose to come to Jamal Place's DeAngelis House Transitional Living Program.

I wanted to come here to get out of my auntie's house. I wanted to see how it feels to do everything yourself, and not to have other people taking care of my responsibilities. I wanted to learn to cook, shop, save money and drive. Before I came here, I was thinking of dropping out of school, because I had just found out that I was going to have a child. I thought it was gong to be hard to take care of a baby and go to school at the same time.

When I came here, that all changed. I stayed in school, got a job and stayed out of trouble. Taking care of my family got easier. I was used to following rules, but here people stay on you, and push you to get up and do what you have to do.

Getting used to the other residents was weird. I had never lived away from my family before. After awhile, it felt like people here were my family, because they helped me to get what I need, talked to me to keep me up on my feet, and encouraged me to not listen to what others say. Since I came to Jamal Place, I've gone to places I've never been to before-places like restaurants, the YMCA and the Iron Oaks ropes course. For my birthday and graduation they took us to T.G.I. Friday's.

About a month after I moved in, I got a job at the Jamal Place Group Home. Two weeks after that, I started school at Morton West High School. Half the time, I loved going to school-the other half Mrs. Lawrence and Brian Barclay's lectures were what kept me going! They helped me realize that I should not let people get into my head and discourage me from doing what I wanted to do.

Graduating wasn't easy. I had to take two classes over in summer school. But I am proud to say I finally got my diploma just a few weeks ago. I'm supposed to be getting my own place soon, and going to college to be a mechanic. When I leave the TLP I'll need a new job so if any of you are hiring-can I have your card? I really want to be on my own, with no one telling me what to do, or anything.

It's a lot of work, but I want to set a good example for my daughters. I want to be independent. In the future, I want to own my own mechanic business. This will be a good way for me to open a business for me and my family. That way when Brian's car gets messed up, I can fix it. First time for free--then he will have to pay!

I want to thank the staff at Jamal Place and all of you for supporting me and being here in my life. I appreciate the opportunities I have been given. Thank you."

Graduated St. Gregory High School 2006

Employed at a Dollar Store on the Westside of Chicago, preparing for June emancipation from state care

I lived at Rice Children's Center from the age of seven until I came to Jamal Place at the age of 13. At first I didn't like Rice because it was hard to form relationships with the staff because they kept leaving. When I was eight I met Tony Pryor who was a child care worker. Over time Tony became my mentor and supporter-someone I admired and could look up to.

Leaving Rice was hard, it was scary but it was also fun since one of my staff members, Julie Miller, also worked at Jamal Place. She told me that I had made progress and that I could step down into a different placement. She said Jamal Place would be good for me.

Jamal Place has been good for me because there were some staff members who cared about me like Tony cared about me. I also got a chance to go to a Catholic elementary and high school which was something I had never done before. Jamal Place wanted all of us to have the opportunity to go to the best schools. I graduated in June 2006 from St. Gregory High School. I didn't think that I would ever be able to graduate because I thought high school was really hard. But I made it with the help of the staff who were willing to stick with me every step of the way-even with religion class.

I also had a Jamal Place mentor, Austa Murray, who was my therapist when I lived at the group home. Austa would take me to movies and bowling, but she also would give me advice about school and the way I should deal with problems inside the home and out. Eddie Vega, another staff member also encouraged my passion for history. We would watch movies on World War II and quiz each other on historical events. I am grateful not just for Tony, Austa and Eddie, but for all those who were willing to help me…even when it when I didn't want to listen. The staff members always tried to help me achieve my goals.

Today, I am working full-time and I plan on taking the entrance test to Malcolm X College where I will expand my interest in history. I plan to finish my degree at UIC and eventually become a historian. I also like public speaking so I am exploring that too.

Because people at Rice and at Jamal Place believed in me, I believe in myself. I know that I can become whatever I want to be as long as I continue to listen to the positive people who want to help me and leave the negative behind me. Jamal Place is here to help not only me but those who want to receive the help. Jamal Place has been my home and will still be my home wherever I go. It's all what you make it and I'm making it work for me.

I would like to say thank you who support Jamal Place. Your support makes my story possible and helps Jamal Place still stand.

Graduated High School: 2006

Currently employed by the U.S. Army for two years

I've lived in a lot of places since I was 11 years old.

I am guessing that I have lived in 20 or 30 places-foster homes, group homes and even some time juvenile detention and in the Dupage and Cook County jails.

I've done some things that I am not proud of , but I am now getting my life back on track. Things started getting better for me when I came to the Jamal Place DeAngelis House Transitional Living Program.

The staff there cared about me and they wanted to see me succeed. I didn't believe it at first and I got in trouble, but they stuck by me and let me know that they were like my family.

That faith made all of the difference. Another thing that made a difference is that the program allowed me to see my family. I was able to reconnect with my mom and my dad. At DeAngelis House, it seemed that once I did something good, other good things came my way.

Receiving my high school diploma from the Academy of Scholastic Achievement was the most important step in the right direction I made. I have joined the army to get some more discipline for myself and training in construction work for my future career. I also just got married. I know that I will need prayers, letters and support while I am in the army and I know that my "second" family will pray and be there for me.

Because of Jamal Place, I feel hopeful about my future and my ability to take care of myself and my family. I am thankful that people did not give up on me.

Graduated Holy Trinity High School 2002

Employed 2003-Present Records Department-Winston & Strawn

I would like to give you all a brief history about my life and how Jamal Place has helped me become the person that I am today.

I was a child that came from a dysfunctional family. I was afraid when I was taken from my home and I didn't like being away from my brothers and sisters. But I knew that this was a good move for me because it was unhealthy for me to be at home. I also knew I needed to leave home in order to reach my goals. My goal was to become an FBI agent. I put my faith in God that he would take care of me and place me with the right people to provide for me and teach me how to become a man.

I arrived at Jamal Place at the age of 12 in the summer of '95. Jamal Place is my home. Jamal has helped me grow by giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to attend private Catholic schools. I attended Precious Blood for junior high school where I met Fr. Tom Walsh. Fr. Tom attached himself to me and the other young men at Jamal Place. When I graduated from Precious Blood, Fr. Tom went to Holy Trinity High School where he continued to keep an eye on all of us. Fr. Tom is one of the many male role models that I have in my life.

After junior high school, I attended St. Gregory High School for my first year. For my second year, I attended Holy Trinity High School on the Larry D. Brown scholarship that was given to me by Mrs. Kathy Brown. I want to thank Mrs. Brown for giving me the chance to have a good education. She and Jamal Place helped me in a big way by shining a brighter light on my goals in life. I could finally see myself going on to college and becoming that F.B.I agent that I wanted so badly. After my high school graduation I went on to college. I attended Virginia Union University where I had a successful year. I made the dean's list with a grade point of a 3.25. While I was away at school Jamal Place was still a part of my life. Ann and the other staff would call to check up on me and my progress. When I returned home for breaks, Jamal had its doors wide open for my return. I never worried about having a place to stay.

Deborah Telman helped me find my first real employment at Winston & Strawn. I was able to work summers and during school breaks at the law firm. I appreciate the trust that Deb has in me and the opportunity that Winston & Strawn has given me to work with for their company. I now have finished my first year of full-time employment. I have learned so much from the staff and supporters of Jamal Place because they were willing to teach me new things. Another male role model in my life that has been there ever since I was young is Jeff Thomas. He touched my life tremendously. He taught me how to be a man. Jeff and I would always have our late night talks on the weekends about life and how important it was to go to school. Jeff also taught me how to cook. In the mornings, when we cleaned our rooms before school, he would come up with a different theme to start off the day. I remember one of them being: "do a job, big or small, do it well or not at all". I truly value this motto and live by this each and everyday now that I am on my own, living in my own apartment with my wonderful family.

Jamal Place for me has always been a place that I can call home. Jamal Place is my family. All of the staff members and my peers will always be a part of my family for the rest of my life. When I get older, I want to give back to this organization so when someone like me comes along they can benefit from the same opportunities that I received. I would like to see Jamal Place continue to grow and expand so it can touch a lot more kids lives. When I have my kids, I want to show them where I grew up and share my life stories of growing up at Jamal with them.

Last but not least, I would like to give thanks for all of the people who have supported this organization over the past 10 years. You have given me a chance to have a bright future. Thank you for caring.

Graduated St. Gregory High School 2002

Employed as an independent tow truck driver

I grew up with Jamal Place. I came to the group home when I was 11 years old. Joshua and I came on the same day in October of 1995.

When I came to Jamal Place I knew it was a good place because the people there seemed excited to see me.

When I came to Jamal Place I had a hard time reading.

During my time at Jamal Place I was tutored in reading and I was sent to good schools where the teachers helped me.

I got involved with sports and I was on the St. Gregory High School Basketball team for four years. School and sports were challenging, but I graduated from St. Gregory in 2002. It was hard, but I had a lot of support.

If it wasn't for Jamal Place, I would probably be in a gang, locked up or dead today. I found a home where people cared about me and that made all of the difference in my life. Out of the three group homes I lived in Jamal Place was the best home for me.

Today I am working full-time. At night I work with my brother, driving a tow truck for 10 hour shifts.

I live on my own and I'm saving the money I earn. I bought a $7500 car. I have been able to help my mom when she has been sick. My brother and I are buying a house together.

I feel like I have grown up the right way.

I want to thank all of the Jamal Place and DeAngelis House staff for caring for me. You have helped me grow into a responsible man. I also want to thank everyone who helps Jamal Place for supporting me and all of the kids of Jamal Place. Your support has given all of us a home and a second family. It has made a difference in my life. Thank you.

Graduated Holy Trinity High School 2000

Employed four years at Jamal Place as a child care worker

I want to talk to you about Jamal Place, a place I called home for four years and still consider as one of my "homes" today.

When I came to Jamal Place in the fall of 1995, I felt lost. I thought that I would never see my family again. All I kept saying over and over in my head was: "Strangers, I hate strangers". Being one of two Hispanic kids, I felt out of place-- like I just didn't belong. Like every kid who starts off in a new placement, I knew I was going home very soon-but I found out that Jamal Place was as close to home as I would get for a long time.

I found that there were many benefits to living at Jamal Place. I had the opportunity to go to a Catholic school, which no one in my family ever had a chance to do. And Christmas, Lord have mercy, I have never seen so many presents for one person in my life - except for on T.V. I had clothes on my back, food in my stomach, a roof over my head and people who cared for who I am, and what I wanted to be. To be perfectly honest, that's all I needed.

Growing up in Jamal Place was weird. Try being 16 or 17 years old and having to take a time out. VERY EMBARRASSING! Try having to tell your friends that you can only talk on the phone for 15 minutes. We weren't getting all of the freedom that all of the other kids were getting, but that kept us from getting in trouble. At Jamal Place I learned that the outside world is nothing to play with.

I was also able to meet the most important people in my life. So many staff members, past and present, taught me the things I needed to be a responsible man. They were there for me in ways that no one had ever been. I learned how important it is to have a role model. Some of my role models over the years have been: Jeff Thomas, Bonita Wheeler, Amerantha Skinner, Kim Driscoll, Daniel Ballard, Rita Cathy, Gia Thadison, Quincy Shelby, Tim Albores and Ann Deuel. They and the other staff members helped me change in many ways and help me grow to be a respectable man.

After Jamal Place, I joined the Marine Corps in February 2001. Some of my Jamal Place family came to see me graduate from boot camp in San Diego three long months later. I got married to my supportive and lovely wife Cheanna in the fall of 2002 and again my Jamal Place family was there. When we welcomed our beautiful daughter Ayanna to our lives on October 1, 2004 I called my Jamal family. Baby gifts arrived from the staff and residents.

Because of Jamal Place, my education and my military experience I hope that my daughter will look at me proudly and say that I did something with my life…I served my country and I am proving that I can achieve the things I want.

On February 26, 2005, I finished my four years of military service. I plan to go to college and I now work as a child care worker at Jamal Place. It's strange being on the other side - working side by side with my mentors as an adult now - I know that I've made it!

I tell the newest residents of the group home that they have no idea how good they have it compared to other kids out there who could be in homes where people don't care or where they might be mistreated.

To the staff members, the board of directors, and all of the people who have supported us over the years Thank you. You have helped make men out of boys. Without you, my life, and the lives of the kids Jamal Place serves, might be different…and I wouldn't have my wonderful wife and lovely daughter. Thank you very much