Trent, a resident at MCH Boys Ranch since 2014, has a personality that is full of life. He channels his energy into sports and has become a strong athlete at Methodist Children’s Home charter school. He is doing well in school and will graduate in May 2018 and begin a promising adulthood.
Trent has grown up and overcome some of his previous struggles in the last few years. Before MCH, Trent was getting into trouble at school and at home. He was using drugs and alcohol and hanging out with the wrong people. It was damaging his relationship with his family and they knew it was time to make a change.
At MCH, Trent became involved in football and track. Although he had never previously played sports, he found that he enjoyed being part of a team.
“It teaches you to work with other people to accomplish a goal,” he said. “And trust-building – you have to trust people that they will help you out and you will help them out.”
Trent is attending the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy through a partnership with Waco Independent School District to study welding. Trent’s father was a crane operator and he said he likes the idea of building structures and doing construction.
Trent has built relationships with staff members and said he has been able to meet new people and learn how to get along with others through MCH. Trent also has had quite an impact on his home parents, Donna and Jack Ratliff.
“The improvement Trent is showing is commendable,” Donna said. “He is a very bright young man who shows great potential. He is an intelligent and passionate young man with a uniqueness that sets him apart from others. Trent is compassionate and cares for others from his heart. He always makes me laugh with his fun-loving spirit. He will always be a shining light in the future.”
At MCH, Trent has taken advantage of opportunities, learned to make better choices and dealt with his previous issues. He said MCH has been a good place for him.
“They helped me with my anger and self-control,” Trent said. “They help you get a good relationship with your family if you didn’t have it before. The school offers different programs to go to so that you can be what you want. And they will help you go to college.”
Trent believes he was on his way to destruction before coming to MCH – whether by destroying his family, going to jail or even dying. Through MCH, he had the time to change his path and opened doors to new possibilities.
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