Isaiah, home for the holiday

Well, I knew that Isaiah had earned a week-end home, but I didn't realize that he had been such a great student, and team mate, that he had earned a whole week for Thanksgiving.  I have been in contact with his counselor a number of times, a really nice young woman who is also a foster/adoptive parent, but I was still was somewhat in the dark about how the reward system worked at Job Corps.

I have received a few questions, as well as a few, "what is he doing there?", to "why can't I get in touch with him?", etc., so will try to answer or fill in the blanks.  Isaiah, or Friday as he is proudly called at school, did not receive any formal education before we rescued him from Liberia some three and a half years ago, and has really struggled to try to catch up in an impossible situation.  As well, he has been thrust into a family that is close knit, has rules, and knows where everyone is at all times, or at least to the very best of our abilities.  There are some times that one will try to sneak under the radar, but not for long.  I am afraid that I am an old fashioned mother who believes in extreme communication, for the betterment of the child whether they like it or not.  I am that bad penny that turns up when you least expect it.  That took Isaiah a little time to get used to, but, after Job Corps, he has a much better idea.

He is in school, either studying for his GED, or learning his current trade, Cement Masonry, from 8 a.m. in the morning till 12 noon, lunch, then trade in the afternoon until four or five.  Dinner is at six, so he hits the weights room in between, then has his laundry to do, as well as other dorm duties, as he is assistant dorm leader.  There is then social activities up until curfew, or lights out, which is about 9.30p.m. only to be up early in the morning, 6.a.m to start again.

He grinned openly and told me he "cried" the first day, because it was so overwhelming, but is so adamant now that he "loves" school, and I believe him.  We were all wondering where he would be in the relationship issue, because he has found this part of the family extremely hard, only because he could not trust or lose control of a situation.  Well, it seems, that being at school has somewhat cured those ideas.  He started out in an open dorm, and could not move out until he proved himself to be a team player, respectful of others, non aggressive of authority, and willing to help.  He did all of that and more.  He laughed as he regaled the compulsory kitchen duty.  When he was at home, he was so "Slow" in the kitchen, everyone would say "hurry up Isaiah" and I know he thought we were all picking on him, but, he was just about doubled over laughing recalling how his other team members on KP duty, were constantly telling him to "hurry up".  He learned to go fast.

He is well on the way to getting his GED, even though it is very hard for him.  His teachers know that his education only started three years ago, and are patient, but also pushing him, because he is "SMART".  His trade class has already helped to lay the foundations of the new laundry, and is on the team to learn how to cement a swimming pool for the facility over the next few months.  He is very proud of his achievements.  It is a great mixture of school, and trade, or learning one.  He can get up to two trades here because of his age, and they are already talking to him about advanced education, or college.  He can choose to go to one they offer, or, amazingly he has another offer from the principal of our kids school, to attend a very well known college, all expenses paid, as long as he gets his GED.  His eyes are set upon his goal, and I very much doubt that they will be shifted by anyone.  He can see the end of the rainbow for the very first time.

His next scary step is he is moving out of his first dorm where he needed to show that he could be a team member, not swayed by anger, or control, and is moving to what he fondly calls the "suburbs".  We sent him back with his own DVD player, as many kids have DVD's but no player, and I expect he will move up to a nice apartment on campus, where he only shares with a couple of other kids, own TV, play station, video games, etc.  This is a great program that instills in kids the need to respect, and be respected.

I am so proud of him.  He is on the second top level in school, silver, which entitles him to free outings (movies, festivals etc), and we have encouraged him to go for gold, a level only a handful of students hold.  Silver is only about a fifth of the campus, but gold?  It is a challenge.  He has to write an essay, frightening for a kid who doesn't have a lot of reading or writing skills, but we have encouraged him to write a little each day, get used to it, go for the GOLD!

Can't wait till he comes for Christmas in just three weeks!  Oh, and by the way, the team skills paid off. He started to rebuild relationships with the boys that he thought were gone, with just a small smattering of humility and understanding.  Sadly, he has learned of others who have had terrible circumstances affect their short lives as well, and his eyes have been opened about how if you let others abuse, control and lead you in bad directions, then only hurt and sorrow follow.  He is moving past being a victim, to being a leader, an achiever, and feeling pride and self esteem for the very first time.  Go Isaiah! Go!