HOPE program brings new direction for teens in Round Rock complex_111003

Posted: 11/07/03

HOPE program brings new direction
for teens in Round Rock complex

By Miranda Bradley

Texas Baptist Children's Home & Family Services

ROUND ROCK–Two months ago, 15-year-old Marquell blended right into his surroundings. Like most kids in his Meadow Ridge apartment neighborhood, he stayed out until the wee hours of the morning hanging out with friends, which usually led to trouble.

But on a cool fall evening in October, just one day before Halloween, he was spending his time in an entirely different way–carving pumpkins and stuffing goody bags for the younger children in his apartment complex.

Teenagers who live in the Meadow Ridge apartment neighborhood in Round Rock carve pumpkins with guidance from a counselor provided by Texas Baptist Children's Home & Family Services. The Baptist General Convention of Texas agency operates a HOPE program in the neighborhood, an acronym for Healthy Opportunities that Protect and Empower. The teens who previously got into trouble recently dedicated themselves to helping younger children in the complex.

“Little kids used to bother me some,” he said. “Now, I see that my actions make a difference to them. I'm like a big brother.”

Marquell's transformation began after attending a workshop, led by the HOPE program at Texas Baptist Children's Home in Round Rock. That event started a dialogue between the teenagers and facilitators.

“We try to make this fun and lighthearted, so the kids feel like they can just be themselves,” said Melanie Martinez, program supervisor.

HOPE, which stands for Healthy Opportunities that Protect and Empower, often sponsors parenting classes and community fairs in Round Rock-area apartment complexes. The idea is to offer on-site help for those who may not know where to find it.

Children at the Meadow Ridge apartment complex had such a need, Martinez said. “We noticed a lot of drug-related activity and destructive environments surrounding these kids. They really just needed a constructive way to spend their time.”

The initial workshop, held in August, began with 10 children. Meadow Ridge teens were so enthused by the first meeting, they asked for more. The group decided to meet the third Thursday of every month.

Teen residents of the Meadow Ridge apartment community in Round Rock decorate pumpkins for younger children.

“The best part is the kids come up with what we do at the next meeting,” Martinez said. “Pumpkin carving for the younger children was all their idea. They really want to do good things.”

Essie Romahi, social services director for Meadow Ridge, said she has seen a vast change in every aspect of the children's lives.

“I see their report cards and progress reports from school, and I can tell you all their grades have improved dramatically,” she reported. “It has been a total turnaround for them.”

Youth like Marquell, who once sought out trouble, now search for volunteer opportunities. And that, Romahi said, has caused many of them to start thinking about their futures.

“We have a group goal–everybody graduates and goes on to college,” she said. “Many of these kids didn't even have that as a concern at first. Now they are really striving.”