Georgio, 18

When Giorgio started at Eastside he fully expected to be walking into a military style, highly rigid, disciplinarian type of school. It was what he thought he needed. “I expected all of the students to be really quiet,” he said, “you know, like they wouldn’t be allowed to talk. I thought EA would be quiet and I didn’t really expect to make any friends. But I was wrong. The students and the teachers at EA were so welcoming and the school was so much more laid back than I thought.”

Giorgio struggled to go to school before beginning at Eastside. He said he often felt forgotten about by his teachers, never really knew where his grades stood from day to day and had simply given up. “My aunt told my mom about EA and we came to check it out.” He thought EA might provide him with a fresh start and new opportunities.

“I was so surprised by how much the teachers care about me. I’d never experienced that before,” Giorgio said with a smile, “They all work so hard to help me succeed. I don’t feel like I can really hide from them.” Giorgio’s grades have steadily improved and now that he’s living in the boys Re:New Home, it’s so much easier for him to get to school every day. “I would have dropped out if I hadn’t come to EA. I’m 18 now, and there’s nothing that could have stopped me. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be.” You are making a difference for students like Giorgio.

Giorgio has big plans for his future and no matter what he’ll meet every challenge with laughter and a smile, “He’s always laughing,” Drew Hale, our Recovery Counselor said, “In fact, he changes the room by bringing so much joy wherever he goes.” His laughter is simply contagious. Drew remarked that Giorgio doesn’t only change the room, he has the ability to affect change for others, “no matter what you’re going through, Giorgio reminds us all that life is a fun experience.”