Maya

Before I joined Take a Hike, I was really struggling. My attendance was terrible, I wasn’t engaged in school at all, and I felt pretty hopeless. I had gone through something really traumatic, and even though my family tried to support me, we didn’t know where to turn. It seemed like the systems that were supposed to help had forgotten about me. Regular school just wasn’t working, and I was falling behind, not just with my classes, but with life.

In September 2024, we found out about Take a Hike. After a few meetings and filling out some forms, I started the program in October. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was a place where things could actually get better.

Since then, I’ve not only caught up in school, I’ve become someone who wants to be there. I show up, I participate, and I care about learning again. I’m starting to feel confident, and my mental health is finally being supported in ways that truly help. For the first time in a long time, I believe in myself.

It’s not just school that’s changed. At home, my family says they’ve seen a huge difference because I’m more present, I laugh and smile more, and I’ve even started talking about goals for my future. There’s a sense of hope in our house again, and that’s helped all of us begin to heal.

A lot of this has to do with my teacher. His support and understanding have meant everything to me. He’s been steady, kind, and he’s believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Having someone like that in my corner has made all the difference. 

Take a Hike means everything to young people like me who couldn’t find our place in a regular classroom. It’s a lifeline that meets us exactly where we are, giving us the trust and support we need to reconnect with school and with ourselves. But the impact goes far beyond the classroom. It changes families and builds stronger communities by making sure youth like me feel understood, supported, and cared for.

I’m so grateful Take a Hike came to my community. It truly helped give me my life back.

Thank you for everything,
Maya