 Jimmy We have a special man who has overcome many obstacles in his life. He has changed how he lives as well as how he deals with his emotions and his daily interactions with people. He grew up with an abusive father and learned that the only way to get things done was to be mean, domineering and angry. As he became a teen, he found alcohol and drugs and started to use it heavily to mask his pain and to get him through each day but after getting drunk, he found this side of him that would start fights, which ultimately found himself fighting the law on many occasion. A little over 20 years ago, it was do or die for him. One night, he found that he could not do enough drugs no matter how much of it he did or drink enough booze and be drunk. He had a problem. He was starting to feel and he wanted to numb that and push it down deep and bury it permanently. He and a friend were so desparate for more, they pulled a gun on a friend, who just gave them the drugs they wanted. He kept drinking, snorting and smoking when he finally passed out. When he woke up, he realized it was wrong and he needed help or take the easy way out and kill himself. He chose to get help but he knew that more than that had to change. He had to leave the old friends who were still in that life; he had to move away from where he grew up so that he could make the needed change and he needed to change careers to support his new life. He knew he just needed to get away from all that was old so he could move to all that was new. Today, besides being a full time dad to two young kids and working full time as a foreman for a construction company, he has dedicated his life to being a mentor to teenage kids in his small community in Brentwood, CA, where he lives and volunteers at a home where kids can go to hang out on Friday nights, rather than being on the streets getting into trouble. Music is provided by other kids who have started bands and need an oppotunity to showcase their talent. It's a win-win situation for everyone and tons of fun as well. There are strict rules for the kids when they come to the house. No drugs, alcohol, weapons and they all have to be checked before they come in. Everyone has to treat each other with respect and kindness. Jimmy is the "bouncer" for the house and does the check before each kid can comesin. If they refuse to be checked, they are not allowed in. Period. No argument. Over the last couple of years of volunteering at the house, he found that when he acknowledges the kids and takes the time to just listened to each one, he noticed a change in them. Their attitude and demeanor started to change. They spoke differently; they were gentler, nicer and not so rough around the edges. They were more at peace with themselves and others. They didn't start fights or argue. What he did was give each child a special gift. He let them know that they matter in the whole scheme of things and what they had to say was important, not just to him to others as well. You know, that is all that kids really want. To be acknowledged, to be heard and know they are cared for. And he really does care about each kid he meets. He has opened his own home when kids have no where to go, provide meals when they are hungry and drive them to school or other activities when no one else can do it for them. Jimmy is truly an example we can all look up to and emulate. And we at OHM are fortunate to have him as part of our family. He truly is living the OHM life. |