At Youth Encounter, we see transformation happen when young people are given the space to discover who they truly are. Sometimes all it takes is a spark of connection, a bit of courage, and the right kind of support to change direction. That’s exactly what happened for Eli.
Before connecting with Youth Encounter, Eli often found himself caught up in the wrong crowd and making choices that led him into trouble. When things got hard, anger and overwhelm would take over, and smoking weed became his way to cope and calm himself down. Deep down, though, Eli wanted more for his life. He dreamed of getting a job, keeping busy, and earning his own money, however there were barriers standing in his way.
Disconnection from his birth parents, disengagement from education, substance use, and brushes with criminal activity had all contributed to where he found himself. Life felt stuck, and he wasn’t sure how to move forward.
Everything began to shift when Eli joined Youth Encounter’s 1-on-1 Activity Therapy and Mentoring programs. Through these sessions, he began to develop a clearer understanding of his personal values and what truly mattered to him. He started to approach life with a growth mindset - learning that he could make positive changes and set achievable goals for his future.
Eli was challenged to step out of his comfort zone and reflect on areas of his life that needed change. Instead of turning to drugs, he began working out daily, channeling his energy into something positive. This new routine gave him a sense of purpose and motivation, helping him stay focused on his goals.
With his renewed mindset and determination, Eli took the next step, he found a full-time job working in kiwifruit orchards. He’s now out in the workforce, building new skills, earning his own income, and walking out the goals he once only talked about.
Eli’s story is one of transformation - from feeling stuck and lost to finding purpose, direction, and self-worth.
At Youth Encounter, we believe in helping young people like Eli live life wide open! Discovering who they are, what they’re capable of, and the freedom that comes from making positive choices for their future.