From the streets to the classroom.

“It has definitely been a change − a great change − over the past few years,” says 26 year-old Bruce Barton. “For once I feel like a productive member of society.”

With no real family, Bruce spent his youth feeling out of place and dejected. He attended more than 30 different schools and repeated grade nine three times because he was forever moving or getting kicked out. He recalls reading an article that mentioned a startling fact: of youth who change schools more than six times, only 43% graduate on time. “I thought to myself, ‘only six schools?’ I wish I was that lucky!” exclaims Bruce.

By the time Bruce was 12, things had gone from bad to worse. He was selling drugs, stealing cars and doing cocaine. It wasn’t long before he was living on the streets. He wanted a better life and he knew school was the key. But without a home or family to support him, he needed to work.
“I had rent and bills to pay, which unfortunately took priority
over school,” Bruce explains. “I had no choice.”
It wasn’t until Bruce discovered he was going to be a father that he decided to clean up, take control of his life and get an education. It was then that he found The Alex, an organization supported by United Way that supports at-risk and homeless youth. The Alex helped Bruce find a scholarship program and go back to school. “I never really had a family. The Alex was always there for me,” he says.
Bruce successfully completed grade 12 and is currently working on technical certificates toward a university degree program. “Since the age of 12, all the help I have received has been from United Way and the programs it supports,” says Bruce. “I thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving me a chance to be all that I can be. This is the first time in my life I’ve actually felt successful, that I’ve felt like I’m going to be okay.”

See more United Way stories and find out how your support can help change someone's life.