We've all seen friends stuck in a cycle of trouble, right? I was one of those kids. But then, something incredible happened'a ray of hope in the form of Judge John Phillips and his revolutionary approach: Jobs, Not Jail.
I was Anthony'a kid teetering on the edge of a dark future until this program changed everything. They didn't just offer jobs; they gave me mentors who believed in me, who listened when no one else did. For the first time, I felt hope.
What's remarkable is that it's not just about avoiding jail; it's about believing in us. Judge Phillips looked at our potential, not just our mistakes. And it works'85% of us never get in trouble again after this program.
I'll never forget the moment someone said, "I'm proud of you." Those words from Rancho Cielo echoed inside me, sparking a sense of pride and worth I never knew existed.