Cassidy turned ten years old a month ago and had started the fourth grade. He had been at an inpatient facility in Tulsa. The population of the Genesis Project is made up of boys who have experienced problems. The staff works hard to help each boy by actively teaching and redeveloping their basic living and social skills, both on-site and in the community. They become a member of the Genesis family, and everyone works to guide these boys to make the right decisions.
Cassidy had resided in a foster home and told me he had three brothers who were a lot older than him. They were 24, 16, and 15 years old. His father was in jail and the last time he had ridden with his mom they were nearly in a car wreck because she had too much to drink. It had been a long time since he had seen either of his parents. He enjoys outings and one that made quite an impression on him was a visit to Uproar, a mentorship program provided by The ComeBack Kid Society. They were fed barbeque (one of his favorites) and then taught some basic skills that everyone should know how to do. He learned how to change a car tire by using a universal lug wrench (I was impressed that he knew the right term and had to ask my husband if he was correct). He told me where to place the jack, and that they refilled the windshield fluid cleaner, changed the oil, and replaced the filter. He was quite knowledgeable for a young boy and displayed some mechanical abilities that could guide him later in his life.
He likes school and looks forward to math, where he excels easily. In his spare time, he enjoys drawing, coloring, and reading. He thoroughly loves the music class and is learning to play the piano, randomly creating new songs with great beats.
We talked about what he enjoyed, and his list was bottomless. He loves pizza and says they could serve it every night and he would be happy. If he had his pick of ice cream, he would choose cookie dough every time. He has had fun on the Slip and Slide, has been to Six Flags Over Texas and loved roller coasters. He told me fruit was a favorite snack and he liked nectarines and bananas best. Cassidy enjoys spending time with Murphy, a Golden Retriever who resides with Andrew Hart, the therapist. He had owned dogs including a German Shepherd, Pitbull, and a cat.
He appreciates the time they can play soccer and football. He delights in roller skating and playing hockey and welcomes field trips as the boys always have an enjoyable time. He was given a black and white BMX bike when he entered Genesis, and he is proud of his newest possession.
His ambition is to become a police officer (the most popular one for the residents) and work with K-9 dogs as his love of animals would be fulfilled while working a full-time job. He talked about some of his problems and advised me on how he was rectifying them himself.
He was learning to walk away from a problem rather than reacting and only getting into more trouble. He agreed to make some changes that improved his life and rid himself of the complications when he had lost his temper in the past. This boy was one of the most open of the ones I have interviewed and even at his young age, he had promise and made me aware of the baggage these youngsters arrive with, the coping skills they acquire while residing at Genesis and the potential to leave with a better understanding of themselves.
Every time I am give time to visit with a young man, I am awed by their past and feel regenerated by their desire to improve. The staff does a tremendous job and of all the positions I have seen that people do, Genesis works, hands down, far beyond any other facility I have known. The tax dollars used to help fund Genesis are not only are an investment in society’s future where it really counts.
Cassidy is only a little boy but the thoughts ploughing through his brain have been some difficult ones that, unfortunately, he had to deal with. Genesis houses those boys that have more problems than most.
If you are toying with the idea of giving to a worthy organization, I hope you consider Genesis. Call for a tour at (405) 396-2942 or email at genesis@genesiskids.com if you have questions. Don’t you want to help too?
