Jere was 16 when I met him. A drug abusing juvenile felon with charges to include drug possession and grand theft. If he was an adult, he would have received a sentence for 5-15 years in state prison. Jere entered Polk County Juvenile Boot Camp angry, defiant and with little or no goals for his future and he didn't care. However, his potential was immeasurable. If only he would allow us to help him… Jere's mother was in state prison and his father, retired, was sick much of the time. His siblings were all drug and crime involved. The odds for his success once he returned home were not very good. On top of that, his father, who he loved dearly, died shortly after he finished his conditional release. Despite the odds, Jere faced the realities of his life and poor choices, worked hard at building relationships with positive adults within the program and chose to remain in contact with the people he had grown to trust. He also continued to reach out when things weren't going very well. He even got his GED. The road to freedom has not been easy for Jere. He made some bad choices when his old life called to him, but we never gave up on him - Jere was "HOPES" first. This years has been one of growth for Jere. Despite some downfalls, he has grown immensely and with the help of several HOPE partners, including Youth for Christ, Jere is on his way. He has redefined his characterization of "family" and made a solid foundation in creating a positive, supportive family system of his own choice. I am happy to report that Jere is supporting himself in Lakeland, has two dogs, Lilly and Cain, a very positive and supportive girlfriend, Tara who is seeking her Bachelor's degree from USF. He has recently retained a job at Publix Super Market Warehouse and has also purchased his first car. Quite a milestone in any young boy's life. I can honestly say I am as pround of him as I am of my own two sons. He has become a part of my family and will always be a part of the HOPE family. That is what it is all about. Jere is a black belt in Tae Kwan Doe and loves volunteering his time teaching young children the art and discipline of this sport. He now has a goal to become a barber and is working to prepare for a time when he can attend school full time to make that dream a reality. Thanks to everyone who played a part in giving Jere HOPE a second change and the belief he could make it. He can and he is!