Mark’s Journey: A Second Chance to Change His Future
Original Author
Angelina Velazquez
Release Date
3/5/2025
At just 14 years old, Mark was already caught in a cycle that felt impossible to break. What started as a Disorderly Conduct charge quickly escalated, and just six months later, he was arrested for Armed Robbery.
His family—his parents, siblings, and even his infant son—stood by him, but they didn’t know how to help. Mark was angry, deeply involved in dangerous circles, and struggling with substance use. Even when he was placed in residential treatment under Wraparound Milwaukee, it barely scratched the surface.
But beneath all the rage, he wanted more. He wanted to be there for his son. He wanted something different.
With the support of his Child and Family Team, Mark started fighting for change. He showed up to school every day. He worked 30+ hours a week flipping burgers to provide for his son. He stayed committed to the program.
For a while, it seemed like he was winning.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Then, everything unraveled.
Mark was arrested again—this time for Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun.
Months passed in juvenile detention as his case dragged through the legal system. His family was heartbroken. His son was growing up without him. And for the first time, Mark was forced to face a harsh reality: he might never get another chance.
When his case was finally heard, the judge gave him one last opportunity—Rawhide Boys’ Ranch. If he failed there, that was it.
Photo by Kazi Nazrul Islam Fahad on Unsplash
Breaking the Cycle
Rawhide challenged Mark in ways nothing had before. The strict structure, the discipline, the emotional work—it pushed him to his limits. He resisted. He fought back. He exploded in frustration.
But his family refused to let him fall. His mother walked a fine line between unconditional love and tough love, sending a message Mark had no choice but to hear:
❝ I love you, but I won’t tolerate this anymore. ❞
That was the moment something changed.
With his Child and Family Team behind him, Mark wasn’t fighting this battle alone. He had access to:
✅ Crisis stabilization—keeping him safe and on track when emotions ran high.
✅ Tracking services—helping him stay accountable and connected to support.
✅ AODA & individual therapy—giving him the tools to process his anger, trauma, and substance use concerns.
✅ Care coordination—ensuring every part of his support system was working together.
✅ Community-based services—helping him transition back into daily life with structure and stability.
It wasn’t an easy road. There were setbacks. There were moments when it seemed like nothing would change. But step by step, with support and persistence, Mark kept moving forward.
A New Beginning
By Christmas, Mark was home.
This time, he wasn’t just visiting. He had earned his place there.
He watched his son open gifts—gifts Mark bought with his own hard-earned money. He was working again, earning steady pay, and on track to get his GED just a few months after turning 18.
For the first time, his family wasn’t afraid of losing him.
For the first time, Mark believed in himself.
Helping More Youth Find Their Second Chance
Mark’s story isn’t a fairytale. It’s real, raw, and hard-earned. He made mistakes. He fell down. But he fought to get back up.
And because of people like you, he had the chance to.
At La Causa, we work with youth like Mark every day—kids who have been written off, who have lost their way, who are one step away from slipping through the cracks. But just like Mark, they don’t have to do it alone.
When you support La Causa, you become part of the team standing in their corner. You help provide:
✅ Crisis intervention when they feel like there’s nowhere left to turn.
✅ Mental health resources to help them break the cycle of anger and trauma.
✅ A second chance at school, work, and a future they never thought possible.
💙 Because of you, kids like Mark get the chance to rewrite their story.
Will you help the next one?
This is such a well-rounded piece, I really enjoyed it.