Imagine coming to the United States from Mexico seeking the opportunity for a better life. Imagine not knowing anyone when you arrive. No friends. No parents. No siblings… Now imagine that you’re experiencing all of the feelings that would come from those circumstances… and you 11 years old.
That is Josue’s story.
Josue was born in Mexico, but grew up throughout most of his childhood without parents. Six years ago, Josue moved to the United States… on his own.
Here is a look into Josue’s story of burden to blessing in his own words:
“Growing up, I worked hard and try my best to do well in school. I started working when I was 7 years old and worked until I was 14. That’s when the government found out I didn’t have anyone to take care of me. I’m really thankful for DFCS (Division of Family and Child Services) because now, I don’t have to work to provide for myself and can focus on becoming a citizen…
The relationship with the people I live with at Goshen Valley is really nice because they treat you nice and care for you. That is why I feel lucky to have a place like Goshen Valley to call home. When I think of how my life has changed since coming to Goshen Valley, I am so grateful for it. If I wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be thinking about having a successful future….
Where I come from, everyone is poor. I appreciate what I have now because I never had a place to live like Goshen Valley.”
While Josue’s story may sound extreme, for us it’s another example of the kind of hope the young men at Goshen Valley experience. Like many of the other young men, Josue plans on attending college after graduation. An aspiration like this that would have never been dreamt before Goshen.
The ability to dream about the future is one of the many blessings the young men experience after being removed from their life of burden.
Want more “burden to blessing” stories like Josue’s? Here are a few testimonials from other young men that call Goshen Valley home.