YouthBuild Fall River

Kamren’s Story: Should I Really Take This Leap?

“Where you’ve been and what you’ve been through doesn’t define where you’re going.” That’s a message Kamren learned early on during her days at YouthBuild Fall River, and a message she wants to share with future students in the program.

Kamren – or Kam for short – moved around quite a bit as a kid. She moved to Fall River with her family at age 7, but was quickly put into foster homes due to her mother’s struggle with addiction. Two months into 6th grade, she dropped out of school and ran away from a group home at age 12. Back in foster care at age 17, she entered a GED program with high hopes, but it wasn’t the right fit. She was back on the street, and was arrested soon after.

In 2016, Kam’s sister and her friend Lashon, two former YouthBuild graduates, convinced her to visit the program. “This was the beginning of my rebirth.” While she was waiting for a spot to open up in the program, Kam was working at a local nursing home, saving money, and waiting for a call. When a spot opened, her employer gave her an ultimatum: Continue to work full-time, or leave altogether for YouthBuild.

“Should I really take this leap?” she remembers thinking. She leapt.

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