09/10/2026
Today was heavy.
For over a decade, our team has had the privilege of walking into the Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Center to pour into young people. But today, we walked out feeling like they had poured something into us.
The questions were different. The conversations were deeper. And some of the stories we heard were simply heartbreaking.
It’s easy to look at an incarcerated young person and see the mistake. It’s different when you sit across from them, listen to their story, and begin to understand some of what they’ve had to survive.
Understanding their story does not excuse their decisions. But it reminds us that behind every decision is a human being. Behind every case number is a child. And behind every child is a story we may know nothing about.
Today our message was simple: YOU STILL HAVE A CHOICE.
You can’t change yesterday. You can’t undo the decision that brought you here. But you can decide that this will not be the end of your story.
More than anything, our youth need more mentors and fewer critics. More people willing to be part of the solution. More people willing to listen before judging, encourage before giving up, invest before walking away, and help them see a future they may not yet be able to see for themselves.
Sometimes a young person just needs somebody to look them in the eyes and remind them:
You are not forgotten.
You are more than your worst decision.
Your story is not over.
And you still have a choice.
Today reminded us why we keep showing up.
