Lisa Mooney of Common Cents Bookkeeping has been our bookkeeper at Youth in Focus for about two years. She says what we’re doing is incredible. Reflecting on what she considers her own very rough childhood, she told us recently that she wished there had been a Youth in Focus when she was young. When she was 13, Lisa got involved in drugs and alcohol. She became “disconnected” and was looking for something to help her escape from an abusive household. She dropped out of Lincoln High School, what she calls a “tough school,” at the beginning of 11th grade. The only reason she stayed in school as long as she did is because of a graphic arts class. Had there been a YIF, a place where she could be with others and build some of the hope so desperately lost in her own young life, it would have been “huge” for her. It might have changed her life.
As our bookkeeper, Lisa knows that the past few years have not been an easy time for lots of non-profits. She recently chose to donate her bookkeeping services to us for free for two months because “it was just the right thing to do.” She said, “My bill isn’t huge but every little bit helps.” While she works on the books at the YIF office, she sees kids interested, focused, and asking questions –which, to Lisa, means coming to YIF is something exciting for young people to look forward to.
Lisa wants young people to know that “it gets better.” Not all kids are successful at pulling out of hard times, but she thinks this is especially possible if they take advantage of the opportunities a place like Youth in Focus is giving them. She says, “Learn from the good things!”
