Hi, my name is Luis Almanzar and I am 21 years old. I have been with Long Island Teen Challenge since September of 2008 and it has been a life changing experience. When I first came into the program, I was a completely different person than who I am today.
My mother was a cop for 22 years. Therefore, I came from a strict household where discipline taught me how to endure life. Growing up, I was a straight A student, but the violence both at school and at home led me to drop out of school in the 8th grade and I chose the streets at 12 years old. For the next 8 years of my life, it was nothing but gangs, drugs, violence, hustling, and everything else that came with the street life-style.
Since my life changing decision to enter Teen Challenge, God has done a great work in my heart and mind. 14 months later, I am Junior Staff at Albany Teen Challenge, studying for my G.E.D. and on fire for the Lord God Almighty who is mighty to save. I can truly say that I am a Long Island Teen Challenge miracle thanks to the mighty men of God who the Lord has placed over me in my life. I owe the Lord, Pastor Jimmy Jack, Pastor Willie Ramos, Pastor Gary Van Gorden, and Victor Harris my life for teaching me the path of righteousness. They taught me how to die to myself, my flesh, and how to live for the God and the Holy Spirit that lives in me. Praise God!
The verses I stand on are Philippians 3:13-14; “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. Thank you God and Long Island Teen Challenge for helping me change my life and follow the path of life in Jesus Christ.