Valery's story

Boys Town always had hope in me. When I first arrived, I didn’t want to be here at all. I had a poor attitude. I didn’t let anybody know who I was. I just kept quiet, but they never gave up. I wanted to play the tough guy so that no one could hurt me anymore than I had already been hurt.

When I was 10 years old, mom took my siblings and I from my dad. I thought we were going on vacation. She took us to Arizona. My dad didn’t even know we left. We lived there for about two weeks in a tent and in a car. We often went without food and we didn’t take showers. I felt scared because I didn’t know when I’d see my dad next. I didn’t know how much longer I’d have to live in a car.

One night, I unzipped the tent and I walked in on my mom with a man. She told me, “Now if you tell anybody about what you saw, I will kill you.” I believed her. It can tear someone up inside hearing that from your mother – “I’ll kill you.” I felt real sick inside. It hurt, and I haven’t seen her since.

The hardest part about not having a mom around is not having someone to talk to or be there during the hard times. I was terribly angry. Everything fell apart. I started doing drugs and alcohol, and my grades dropped from A’s to F’s.

Then, I found comfort and guidance at Boys Town. I think all the skills that I have learned while I’ve been here will help me in my adult years. I have confidence that I’ll be able to do well.

If my mom was here now, I think I would tell her that I forgive her for all the pain that she put us through. I know that somewhere in her heart she loves us, so I’d just like to tell her that I forgive her.

As for the future, I can’t wait to go to college. I’m excited. My dream is to go to college and major in accounting. Someday, I would like to have a family.