For many young people, the future can feel uncertain. There are dreams to chase, challenges to overcome, and plenty of decisions to make along the way. For UMYH resident Sawyer, the goal is simple: become the best version of himself, make his mom proud, and build a future where his family is taken care of.
One of Sawyer’s biggest passions is basketball. When asked about his goals moving forward, he didn’t hesitate.
“Just be the best hooper and just make sure I’m very successful in life.”
Basketball is more than just a hobby for Sawyer. It’s something that motivates him and has even inspired others around him. He believes his passion for the game has encouraged some of the other young people at UMYH to pick up a basketball and see what they can accomplish.
“I feel like I influence myself,” Sawyer shared. “I influence other people here. I know some people here that really weren’t into basketball until they saw me play.”
While basketball is a major part of Sawyer’s dreams, he understands that life can take unexpected turns. His ambitions extend well beyond the court.
After graduating from UMYH, Sawyer’s goal is to find a good-paying job and build a stable future for himself and his family. More importantly, he wants to be in a position to help his younger sisters.
“I just want to make sure my family is well,” he said. “And that my sisters have, like, a place to stay.”
That sense of responsibility is a big part of how Sawyer views his future. Whether he becomes a professional basketball player, makes music, or takes a more traditional career path, he wants to work hard and create a life where the people he loves are taken care of.
His dream job is, of course, playing basketball. But he also has backup plans
.“If that’s not too successful, I’m going to either make music or just work a factory job.”
Music is another important part of Sawyer’s life, particularly R&B. Growing up, it was the music he heard most often, and artists like Michael Jackson and Daniel Caesar remain favorites.
“R&B is all I really heard growing up,” he explained.
Beyond his career goals and interests, perhaps one of the most meaningful things Sawyer shared was the advice he would give to his younger self.
Instead of running from difficult situations, he would encourage his younger self to face them head-on.
“Don’t try to go around any challenge. Just go through the challenges that you have and get better at the challenges that you have to get through.”
It’s a lesson that speaks to the growth Sawyer has experienced and the mindset he is carrying with him into the future. Challenges are inevitable, but they can also become opportunities to grow stronger.
Sawyer said during the interview that he is grateful for the opportunities UMYH provides.
He appreciates the freedom residents earn as they progress through the program, including opportunities to spend time outside and play basketball. He also recognizes the importance of the educational support available to residents, particularly assistance with earning a GED.
“I’m thankful for you all trying to help people with their GEDs because some people really don’t know what to do or how to accomplish it.”
Sawyer’s story is a reminder that success can look different for everyone. Sometimes it means making it to the basketball court. Sometimes it means earning a GED, finding a job, or simply learning how to face a challenge instead of running from it.
For Sawyer, success means all of those things—and more.
He dreams of becoming a great basketball player, but ultimately, his biggest goal is to build a successful life, make his mother proud, and create a future where he can help the people he loves.
And wherever his journey takes him, Sawyer is already learning one important lesson: you don’t have to avoid the challenges in front of you. You can go through them, grow from them, and come out stronger on the other side.
