I finally have a moment to properly express my gratitude.
What can I say? No words seem enough to thank you for everything you’ve done for us. You were there every step of the way, always listening, understanding my desperate situation, and calming me down. You weren’t just a mentor; you became a brother, a friend, a therapist, and a father figure—all in one.
Your support, motivational words, and encouragement helped both me and my son fight through each day, assuring us that things would eventually get better.
There were times I didn’t want to hear anyone’s voice, but you would always come over and show kindness, especially to a boy accused of attempted murder. You gave him the strength to continue being a good person, and you gave me, as a mother, the courage to be the mother I always wanted to be.
You helped us with everything—schools, college, housing, even ideas for my work. You taught me how to take things day by day. I admire you so much, Wayne. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I don’t know if I would be here today to say all this. You literally pulled me out of a dark place.
It’s funny how I felt so wronged by the justice system, yet I’m so grateful at the same time because it led me to you.
You turned our world right-side up when everything was upside down. To my son, you were the father he never had and a true friend. He is the person he is today because of you and the team.
Thank you so much. Please keep being the amazing person you are, because you have a unique ability to help others, showing honesty and good intentions. For people like us, who were lost and found it hard to trust, you made a difference. You listened when we were afraid to speak, gave us confidence, and showed us what could be done without adding to our distress.
We love you, Wayne. Keep up the good work. I hope you understand my words, even though I might not always express myself perfectly.
I’m so grateful to have had the luck of having you and your team help us on this journey. No matter what the future holds, I hope we can stay in touch.
With gratitude,
Wayne Hill
Mentor, Gang Exit Serious Youth Violence
Wayne is a dedicated and passionate advocate in the field of serious youth violence and gang exit work. With over 25 years of experience, he has been at the forefront of efforts to address and mitigate the impact of youth violence and gang-related issues within our communities. Having witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of youth […]
