Most evenings, you can find Carlos Tores at the Bowden Youth Center. The now 19-year-old moved to Sioux Falls in 2007 with hopes of starting a new life and living on his own. But when he moved into his own apartment, he knew things might get tough.

"I did get some help. I did get some furniture. I was able to get a TV. But yet there were some things I was still struggling with, even as I was independently living," Tores said.

Those struggles included running out of food and led him to the Banquet in Sioux Falls, where he learned about the Bowden Youth Center.

"As I came into the Bowden, they were having a party in the gym. It was the Valentines party and I was lucky enough to come on this day because the supervisor asked me to stay. I said, 'Sure, that would be fine,'" Tores said.

What happened next changed his life. The center supplied him with some personal hygiene supplies, a new blanket and the staff listened to Tores.

"It is always interesting. People come in, learn who we are and what we're about. It’s always fun to see people learn what we do here, and find their place in that and grow and develop and mature," Clint Richardson, a Volunteers of America Outreach Specialist, said.

And that's exactly what Tores has done. He credits Bowden's activities and counselor for making him a better person and more effective communicator.

More importantly, Tores says what he's learned inside the Bowden Youth Center he can now use outside.

"As I came to Bowden, I learned that I can think positive and know that there is support out there, I just have to make the effort to go find it. And now ever since, I've just been happy and doing a whole lot better, making a little improvement each day," Tores said.

Next for Tores, he hopes to attend college and eventually become an interpreter. And it's those successes that the staff says is enough payment for their work.

"As with any position, there can be ups and downs, but the positives outweigh anything here, and to see people flourish and grow is our mission," Richardson said.

"The Bowden Youth Center is probably about the most friendliest place and probably about the closest place I can call home, where I have a lot of friends and see a lot of staff who are willing to help me at any cost, at any time," Tores said.

The Bowden Youth Center is open for those between the ages of 8 and 20 on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Shawn Neisteadt
© 2009 KELOLAND TV. All Rights Reserved.

Most evenings, you can find Carlos Tores at the Bowden Youth Center. The now 19-year-old moved to Sioux Falls in 2007 with hopes of starting a new life and living on his own. But when he moved into his own apartment, he knew things might get tough.

"I did get some help. I did get some furniture. I was able to get a TV. But yet there were some things I was still struggling with, even as I was independently living," Tores said.

Those struggles included running out of food and led him to the Banquet in Sioux Falls, where he learned about the Bowden Youth Center.

"As I came into the Bowden, they were having a party in the gym. It was the Valentines party and I was lucky enough to come on this day because the supervisor asked me to stay. I said, 'Sure, that would be fine,'" Tores said.

What happened next changed his life. The center supplied him with some personal hygiene supplies, a new blanket and the staff listened to Tores.

"It is always interesting. People come in, learn who we are and what we're about. It’s always fun to see people learn what we do here, and find their place in that and grow and develop and mature," Clint Richardson, a Volunteers of America Outreach Specialist, said.

And that's exactly what Tores has done. He credits Bowden's activities and counselor for making him a better person and more effective communicator.

More importantly, Tores says what he's learned inside the Bowden Youth Center he can now use outside.

"As I came to Bowden, I learned that I can think positive and know that there is support out there, I just have to make the effort to go find it. And now ever since, I've just been happy and doing a whole lot better, making a little improvement each day," Tores said.

Next for Tores, he hopes to attend college and eventually become an interpreter. And it's those successes that the staff says is enough payment for their work.

"As with any position, there can be ups and downs, but the positives outweigh anything here, and to see people flourish and grow is our mission," Richardson said.

"The Bowden Youth Center is probably about the most friendliest place and probably about the closest place I can call home, where I have a lot of friends and see a lot of staff who are willing to help me at any cost, at any time," Tores said.

The Bowden Youth Center is open for those between the ages of 8 and 20 on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Shawn Neisteadt
© 2009 KELOLAND TV. All Rights Reserved.