What was the difference between Inner City and regular schools?  
The school offered transportation and food. It was a more of a relaxed environment, too. Nobody judged you for how you looked or who you were hanging around with. The support from the teachers and youth workers was really good. They were always there for me and I could express myself to them. It was a place where I could hang out and not worry about social problems. Like violence. I could escape all my problems and just focus on learning.

They made me believe in myself. That's the most important thing, I think.

The programming also allows for work experience, and I developed a lot of skills that way. I learned how to call Bingo, and do concession work. I also learned about  food preparation and serving, and I worked with cash/floats.

What are your future plans?
I'm looking to become a youth/child worker or a social worker. In order to do that, I need to get a BSW. The experience I got from ICYDA helped me, and I want to turn those experiences to helping others. I want to let others know that they are not the only ones that have these troubles.  

Did you make a lot of friends at ICYDA?
Yeah. The people I met at Inner City are true friends. They stick with you. They have been there for me when I've needed them. 

Did you do any Drama?
Yeah, popular theatre. You can take situations from your own life and develop them through sculptures which is kind of like a mini play. You take something significant to your life and bring awareness of that situation to others. For example, if it was poverty [that you were trying to describe], then we would show the audience what poverty was through the plays and create a story about to make people aware of poverty and things they can do to change it. 

What's the most significant thing you learned at ICYDA?
Respect. I learned how to be myself, not worry about what others thought of me. Open discussions around the circle showed me that what I was feeling and going through wasn't that unique. Others had the same issues, the same fears. I also learned that if you work hard you can achieve anything; anything is possible. 

If i wasn't with Inner City I don't know where I would be today. I'd still be partying, and living on the street! The staff at ICYDA got to me. I just want an honest life. They really helped me towards that.