Testimonies
Katelynn's Story:
Firewall has taught me to accept the people around me the way that they are. Through Firewall, my relationship with God has grown. I have also realized that if people don't accept me for me, then there is no reason to change for them. Recently, there were five teenage boys who got into some serious trouble. Several of them set another teenager on fire, giving him 3rd degree burns on 75% of his body. When I lived in Pompano, I hung out with ALL of these kids. They were actually some of my closest friends. When I heard about this taking place, it shocked me. I thought, "Wow! That could have been me." I could have been one of those kids. It made me wonder why my friends would do that to someone. After I moved, I moved near Firewall and had the chance to attend the program. All that talk about the burning makes me wonder what I would be doing and where I would be if I had stayed in that neighborhood and continued to hang out with those kids. Thanks to God and Firewall, I now hang out with better kids and am able make better choices." |
Barney's Story:
Firewall is a second family to me. This is where my friends are! This is where I come because this is where people are that are like me, trying to make better choices every day. I am looking forward to graduating this year, going to college, and becoming a firefighter. That way, I can make an impact in my community by giving back and being a mentor to others like Mr. Andy and Mrs. Janeth have been to me." |
Elizabeth's Story:
Before Firewall, I always used to use my room as a cave. I was like a bear. I stayed distant from my family and God. But being with Firewall, I have improved. I don't give my mom an attitude for one thing. Being at Firewall has helped me improve mostly in my grades. Firewall is a great place to learn and to have fun. In the first quarter, I had F's and D's. Now, thanks to Firewall, I have all A's and B's." |
"I have been a part of Firewall for 2½ years now. My life has changed since then. When my grandmother moved into the trailer park that I used to live in, my aunt went to one of Firewall's youth services. Mr. Andy and Mrs. Janeth told her about the after school program. Days later, I was enrolled. Before Firewall, my grades were C's and D's. Now that I'm in the Firewall program, my grades are A's and B's. Firewall has also affected the way my family has been getting along. Before, we were always fighting, but now we are getting along better.
"Since I joined the Firewall program two years ago, my vision in life has changed. The program has made a difference in my grades and behavior. Also, I have been able to develop a strong relationship with God. This relationship enables me to make good decisions. Without Firewall, I would probably have been hanging out with people that would influence me in a negative way. Instead, I chose to be a part of the Firewall program because Mr. Andy and Mrs. Janeth are two of the most dedicated people I know. That tells me that I'm in good hands.
"My friends and the tutors at Firewall help me a lot. I work hard for the good grades that I get and get all of my work done. My faith has also been affected a lot by Firewall. I believe more in God, I trust myself to get my work done, and I trust my friends and listen to what they have to say. Firewall has helped me with my integrity too. Thanks to Firewall, I have more integrity in everything that I do. Doing something good feels great and believing that God is with me is a big part.