I grew up in a good environment in a Christian household. My parents were the pastors of our church so I helped set up and tear down the church every week, but when I was in 7th grade, my parents separated and I went to live with my dad. I started hanging around with bad influences at school, I was getting suspended all the time and getting kicked out of different schools. When I started high school I was getting into worse trouble. I started using weed which eventually led to other things like psychedelics and pills, and at one point my mom and I had restraining orders against each other and I was so bitter and angry towards her.
In January of this year I got in trouble with the law and was arrested. When I was sitting in juvie waiting for my court date to see what was going to happen, I realized I didn’t want my life to be like this. When I first got to Springboard I knew that I was finally ready for any help I could get. Part of me was still stubborn but I knew deep down that something big was about to happen for me. I saw the other girls and their relationship with God and I knew that I wanted that. I started to give God my all. Things are so different now: My relationship with both of my parents has been restored. I let God break down all the walls of bitterness and anger that I had been holding onto. I have new values now. I no longer live for myself but now am choosing to live for God and I want to be successful in my life and have my life leave an impact for the good.
-Xandria, 16
