James, a 10th-grade student at Vero Beach High School, faced a difficult childhood, bouncing between temporary living situations until last year when a compassionate family friend stepped in to provide him with a permanent, loving home. This family friend, who James calls his God Mom, not only offered him stability, but she also connected him with the sport he loves, academic support and mentoring at Crossover Mission.

When James enrolled at Crossover he was struggling emotionally and academically. He was having behavioral issues at school, and at home which resulted in James failing most of his classes. James says that over the last year and a half, Crossover has become the catalyst for change in his life, providing him with a sense of belonging and support that he had been missing for so long. He often says Crossover is his “happy place”.

Through his own determination, support from his God Mom paired with the guidance and opportunities offered by Crossover mentors and staff, James has managed to turn his life around. Not only has he improved his behavior at school, but he is maintaining A/B honor roll status for the first time in his academic journey. Furthermore, James became a volunteer within the Crossover program, taking on the role of a mentor for younger students who look up to him. On average, James volunteers 10 hours each week. His age, lived experience and the challenges he has overcome allow him to connect with and inspire our students in a way that few can, making him a shining example of the community support, grit, and resilience that we strive to achieve at Crossover Mission.