TYRIC

Growing up in a tough neighborhood, Tyric fell in with a group of friends who smoked marijuana and broke the law. When his juvenile record lengthened, he was sent to a detention center.

At age 18, Tyric was released and became one of the first participants in a new program offered by Youth Villages Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults, an evidencebased program model designed to help young adults with juvenile justice backgrounds make the transition to productive adulthood.

The program pairs each young adult with a counselor, available 24/7, who provides intensive support as the young person learns to make good decisions; finds housing and employment; and builds a positive support network.

Monika Hicks, a master’s level social worker, saw that Tyric was ready to hit the reset button on his life.

“We’ve worked on school, jobs, getting my driver’s license; she’s kept me on my Ps and Qs,” he said. “She’s someone to talk to, someone to open up to a little bit more. There’s always someone speaking positive in my ears.”

Tyric’s life is different than before. His priorities changed, too.

“I have a newborn little girl, and that’s my main focus - my little girl and my family,” Tyric said.

“I’ve been using what Monika taught me. I don’t have to go back to street life to get where I’m trying to go.”