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Elkin's Story:
Teens like Elkin heal themselves and others.
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By high school, Elkin had endured devastating loss and family turmoil, including witnessing his father’s descent into substance use and violence toward his mother. When his beloved grandparents, who had stepped in to help raise him, passed away, Elkin fell into a deep depression. Fearing he would add to his mother’s burdens, he kept his struggles to himself, grappling with loneliness and the fear of missing out on life.
Elkin found support at the Identity-managed Watkins Mill High School Wellness Center where he worked with a therapist to develop strategies for managing stress and processing his trauma.
A breakthrough came during Identity’s youth Encuentros program, which empowers teens to manage difficult emotions through peer-led, non-clinical emotional support groups. Here, Elkin was able to share what going on inside him.
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Elkin’s courage created a space for other group members to open up about their own childhood traumas. He became a role model for the group and ultimately trained to co-facilitate Encuentros groups for other teens. Now, Elkin is motivated to keep pushing to create a better future for himself and his mom. He is currently in college and excited to study electrical engineering.
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Investing in young people like Elkin, especially in times of uncertainty and heightened anxiety, enables a brighter future for themselves and inspires positive change for their entire community. You can donate online or by mailing a check to Identity, 415 East Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877. We also accept stock or other financial transfers.
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Elkin speaking about Encuentros at the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice conference.
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