Bryan Young, A Life Transformed
Bryan Young
My name is Bryan Young and I am an 18 year old recent graduate of high school. The Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch has been my home for the past three years.
I would like to share with you a story about a young man who had no direction and no cares for his future. This young man was an expert on drugs and alcohol and had a personal relationship with law enforcement. He had family problems, major school issues, a bad attitude, and a self-destructive mindset.
Until one day, he came to the crossroads of his life. A major decision had to be made; a decision that would either make or break him. He chose the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch. Not only did he go to the Boys Ranch, but he arrived with all of his problems, including a total disrespect to adults. He believed that he was invincible. It didn’t take long for his reputation to get around, and he had become well-known around the Ranch for his disrespect, dishonesty, and non-compliance with Ranch rules. All of this went on for quite some time until one day in his Unit Director’s office, the light came on and he realized that his life was going nowhere!
He decided that he wanted to change his life and get it on the right track. That is where the Boys Ranch staff stepped in. It was a difficult road this young man had before him, but he was ready and prepared to change his misguided life.
He stumbled several times but recovered, thanks to the love, tears, and help from his cottage parents. This young man has gone from a future of trouble and prison to a bright and successful future. All of this is a result of the benefits and help the Boys Ranch offered.
I am that young man! I stand before you today to say thank you for giving me a second chance. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to change my life. Thank you for your support, care, and belief in the youth of today. I am proof and a true testimony that the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches and other programs like it do work.
I leave you with this: I have dreams to become a firefighter/emergency medical technician/paramedic and it wouldn’t be possible without the help from the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
Bryan gave this speech when accepting the Leadership Award from the Florida Sheriffs Association. We are confident he will finish strong in his future goals.
June 2008