On November 25th, Lee Hall celebrated his birthday and was also admitted into our Lodge program, officially joining our family.
At first, he did feel hesitant and doubtful; he explains, “to be honest, I didn’t think I’d make it [this far], because of the structure. I was very nervous.”
Lee’s past includes other group homes (Falcon Children’s Home and Safe Landing). After getting kicked out of Falcon, Lee, still being on probation, spent time in Juvenile Detention, where he stayed for one consecutive month (the longest time he had spent there). After juvey, he stayed at his parent’s house, where he learned about The Lodge.
Now, Lee is determined to make things different. “One thing that taught me about juvey is, I don’t want to go back. There are so many things to do in the world, other than [being] locked up. To be looking at the same 4 walls every day is boring. Each day felt like a year there.”
Now, after 3 months in The Lodge, Lee states, “It’s a good place to be. I feel like I can work the program now and I feel more confident. I enjoy Pastor Craig [Morrison], he’s a nice guy, he understands me when I talk to him, I feel like I can talk to him about anything.”
Lee currently does school online, attending South View high school. His goals are to get a job, take the ASVAB, and enlist in the Airforce.
While it’s not Lee’s favorite hobby, he is staying encouraged, “If it wasn’t for the people in The Lodge, I wouldn’t be passing my classes right now.” And he advises kids today, “If you’re having trouble, find someone that could motivate you.”
Besides attending school, Lee also helps and volunteers during our breakfasts, and is forming good relationships with his Lodge brothers.
Feeling hopeful for the future, his dreams are to graduate high school (in June) and travel.
We are eager and hopeful for Lee’s future, too. The Lodge program is a 1–3-year program, aimed to help men spiritually, physically, emotionally, and to equip them with the tools and knowledge to continue their life–long transformation. After that first phase, the men can move into houses on Frink Street and live a more independent lifestyle.
We pray Lee continues to walk in his transformation and God molds him into the man He created to be.
“It was a good present,” Lee affirms, “because if not [for The Lodge] I’d be on the streets.”
*UPDATE*
May 2021, Lee graduated from South View high school and we held him a ceremony and party here, at Inasmuch!
