For the first time, I have hope for my future
Jordan’s Story
At the age of 16, Jordan found himself at a crossroads. “I had to choose whether I was going to continue down the path of becoming a criminal or whether I’d become a responsible adult.”
Jordan’s coping skills get him arrested
Jordan had a chaotic childhood, which led him to develop severe anxiety. At 13 years old, he turned to drugs and alcohol to cope. In eighth grade, he was arrested and expelled from school. His first experience with YES was when the judge ordered Jordan to seek services for his substance use. He quickly completed his required hours and, with a newfound motivation to stay sober, headed off to a new school.
Meeting with YES school-based counselor
Unfortunately, the new school was an unsupportive environment, and it wasn’t long before Jordan started experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks. His family decided to transfer him to Emerson High School, where he met Noble, a YES school-based therapist.
“Just being able to talk to someone and having them listen, was very helpful.” He appreciated the concrete skills Noble shared to help him control his anxiety. “She would tell me to fill a pan, or bucket, with ice-cold water and put my face in it when I was beginning to panic. Surprisingly, that worked really well.”
Jordan eventually dropped out of high school to pursue his GED and was able to continue working with Noble at the YES Bellevue office. Over the next couple of years, Jordan also began seeing Dr. McGuire, YES’ onsite psychiatrist. Working with Dr. McGuire and Noble, Jordan was diagnosed with Bi-Polar II disorder. Once on the right treatment plan, Jordan could finally focus on getting sober and staying healthy. He continued to work on his recovery through YES’ Life in Recovery Group.
What the future holds
This year Jordan turns 21. He is currently enrolled at Lake Washington Technical College, pursuing a physical therapist degree while working a full-time job. He is proud of how far he has come and what he has been able to accomplish.
“I now know that not everything has to be perfect; I don’t have to do everything right away. I can take my time and know that everything will figure itself out. For the first time, I have hope for my future.”
*At YES, we respect everyone who comes to us for support, and many are working on improving their lives. So while their stories are true, client names and images may have been changed to protect their privacy. Thank you for understanding.
Recovery stories like these are made possible through the generosity of many YES donors. Supporters provide ALL children, youth, and families in East King County with a chance of recovery every year.
You, too, can be a lifeline in a young person’s life today by making a gift to provide families with hope for a brighter tomorrow! Whether you donate $5 or $500, every gift will make a difference in the life of a child or youth seeking hope and recovery.
