This time of year it's always been said that giving is better than receiving, and Thursday night a KELOLAND teen was giving back to an organization that has given him so much.
Volunteers of America, Dakotas has helped thousands of troubled youth transition back into society since the organization was formed 88 years ago. And, when officials see those teens come back to make a difference in the lives of other youth, that's when they know their work has been a success.
17-year-old Loren Antoine's story has taken him from the reservation in western South Dakota to volunteering in Sioux Falls. He is now living with his brother's family in northwest Iowa, and is getting ready to graduate from West Lyon High School this spring.
"Most of my family really didn't graduate, so I'll probably be the first in my family," Antoine said.
But life wasn't always like this for Antoine. He grew up in Mission, South Dakota, and ended up in the state correctional facility in Springfield. Just a year ago he entered the Volunteers of America psychiatric treatment program. A program that helped him turn his life around.
"He had some issues he had to work through, like anger and stuff like that, and he overcame those hurdles with the help of God," Antoine's sister-in-law Alison Vargas said.
After leaving the program in August Antoine came back Thursday night to give back. He wrapped presents for the other youth who are in the Volunteers of America programs.
"I just know how it felt just to get that present under the tree when you wake up, it felt good," Antoine said.
"Him being able to come back here and show other kids how well he's done is just amazing to see him," Vargas said.
"When kids who have been with us are able to give back and help others they feel really great because they remember times when there were people in their life that helped them," President and CEO of Volunteers of America Dakotas Pam Bollinger said.
And seeing the teens who left the Volunteers of America program to come back and volunteer themselves is a blessing for the staff and the youth.
"Remembering when you were in a bad place in your life and somebody reached out to you, you remember that, it leaves an impact," Bollinger said.
"I just wanted to let kids know I'm still here for them even though I'm outside. I still care for them," Antoine said.
Antoine and other volunteers wrapped nearly 600 gifts Thursday for the youth in the Volunteers of America programs.
Ben Dunsmoor
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