ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Students from Arrowhead Ranch visited Rock Island Arsenal, Dec. 5, as part of a program designed to encourage troubled youth to better their lives with positive activities and mentorship.
Founded in 1945, Arrowhead Youth and Family Services provides counseling, education, and social services to youth and their families in an effort to motivate youth-at-risk to become productive and responsible young people. Students are placed at Arrowhead Ranch by the court system, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, school districts, and family members where they receive year-round private special education.
Soldiers from U.S. Army Sustainment Command shared motivational stories with Arrowhead students, encouraging smart choices and attempting to build confidence and positive attitudes.
Sergeant 1st Class Jimmy Ray, ASC, has worked with troubled youth for several years and made a strong effort to relate to, and connect with the students from Arrowhead Ranch.
"It feels good knowing you're able to reach out to someone who just wants to know somebody is looking out for them," he said. "A lot of kids don't mind disappointing themselves, but they don't want to disappoint someone they look up to."
Arrowhead Ranch student Michael Walls, from Rock Island, Illinois, initially didn't want to participate in the visit to Rock Island Arsenal. As the morning progressed, he warmed up to the activities and appreciated the time ASC Soldiers spent with him, especially Ray.
"I'm glad I came," he said. "This is fun."
Asked about what changed his attitude toward the day, he said: "It's nice to hear from people who know what we're going through, and hear them say we can do good things."
Walls is a big fan of Michael Jackson, and hopes to one day become a successful singer.
"I want them to get a feeling of self worth, improve their self-esteem," said Dean Kopke, an Arrowhead teacher who escorted the students throughout their visit. "Anything positive to motivate them to make better choices."
Kopke said he wants to help the students receive hope for the future, explaining, "they have the rest of their lives to do something positive."
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