JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local nonprofit aimed at helping young people get on track for adulthood is celebrating more than 50 years of serving the Jacksonville community.
Many young people in the program said if it wasn’t for this organization they would be in jail or worse.
Many of the students I spoke with credit AMI Kids with saving their lives.
JK, 18, said her time at the American Marine Institute Jacksonville has changed her outlook on life.
“I’ve learned how to take accountability for myself. I learned to be responsible for everything I do. Because nobody’s going to take the blame for me,” she said.
After coming to AMI Kids, she said she noticed her life began to change.
“I came here, that what’s really helped me out. It gave me an extra push to better my future and know what I want to do with my life,” she said.
For decades, AMI Kids has worked with young people, getting them engaged in school work and preparing for the workforce.
In this class, an instructor is teaching young men how to tie neckties, so they are job interview ready.
A wall of past students shows those who’ve successfully landed jobs.
Staff members also provide guidance to students who’ve had behavior issues.
“We have a safe family feel environment, and the kids relax. You can just see them relax. Then they try new things and they succeed, and it’s like this whole new light to them,” said Stephanie O’Brien-Gadd, Executive Director of AMI Kids Jacksonville.
It’s the reason Bill Hancock volunteers with AMI Kids.
“The kids are great. It suddenly gives them something to focus on and teaches them skills. It exposes them to things they’ve probably never seen,” said Hancock.
For JK, the system is working. Her relationship with her mom has improved and she’s now planning to become a merchant seaman.
“It changed my life a lot,” she said “I’m still here today. I could be dead or in jail somewhere. I’m here. I pray to God every day that I’m here. So I’m proud of myself.”
AMI Kids accepts students up to 24 years old and offers both diploma and GED programs.
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