Meet Anthony: A Real-Life Story of a Project Avary Youth

My father was in and out of my life. And then he was incarcerated when I was six... 

It was hard growing up without him. I had a lot of social anxiety, and I felt a strong sense of isolation, like I could never open up and be my true self. When my older brother lived with us, he’d tell me that men don’t cry and it reinforced my inability to be open.

I’ve always been a shy person, and I didn’t know what to expect when I went to my first Project Avary summer camp. But getting off that bus for the first time was an amazing experience. There were all these counselors hyping everyone up for an amazing week. And then they did the most important thing to help me — they just listened and listened.

My first time at camp, it took me until halfway through the week to believe that people really cared about me. But then the barriers started coming down and this shy little boy began opening up for what felt like the first time. I learned to love writing poetry and that it was OK for men to cry. And now every year, I love to see kids coming out of their shells.

Camp Avary empowers me. If I’m ever feeling out of place, I know that there are people who have my back. And I feel proud that I can be that person for others. Every year, I tear up when I have to leave.

A lot of people see kids with an incarcerated parent as less likely to succeed. But that’s completely not true for me. I haven’t had my father with me my whole life. I can’t remember a single time when I’ve spent more than a week with him, but I’m on a great path. What I’m doing now will lead me to a successful future, and I won’t have to struggle like my parents.

Without Camp Avary, I would’ve never discovered poetry, or how much I love mentoring younger kids and trying new things. I wouldn’t have met all these amazing people who are now like family to me.

I want to take a moment to thank you and all of our Project Avary supporters. You are our heroes. You helped a little boy with a shattered world heal, rebuild, and grow. You help us kids bloom into healthy and strong youth, becoming exactly who we’re meant to be.