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When first meeting Jared you would never know the challenges he has faced in his 19 years of life; he seems just like any other upcoming senior at Johnson High School. Instead Jared had to live through a bloody civil war in his native home, Monrovia, Liberia on the west coast of Africa. Jared and his mother moved to the United States when Jared was 14 years old after having missed years of school due to the war and started his American schooling behind others in his age group. If that wasn't enough for the "new kid," he also didn't speak any English!
Working through all of the obstacles placed in front of him, Jared decided to join the Boy & Girls Clubs at the suggestion of his local relatives. The Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe and positive place for youth like Jared to attend and feel at home. He has been able to be a part of groups like the Keystone Club which is a program that teaches leadership skills and performs community service projects. Through the Keystone Club Jared has been able to form healthy relationships with his fellow peers and the staff members. He has also improved in areas such as social skills, communication skills, and leadership skills. Because of Keystone, Jared has gone from being a quiet, withdrawn young man to a more responsible, actively-involved young man.
Needless to say, Jared is an exceptional young man. He is now 19 years old, working at Kroger's while a full time student, Boys & Girls Club volunteer, and concentrating on helping his mother pay bills while also saving money for college. Jared was selected as the Youth of the Year, representing the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Clubs, because of his outstanding work in the community, within the Boys & Girls Clubs, and in his school career.
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