"You can't change the past," admitted Francis, 17, "But you can change the future."

That is exactly what he did when he arrived at Ozanam in October 2005 after failing in school, getting arrested at the age of 16, spending time in a juvenile detention center and later a Lawrence group home all within the course of a year.

Fortunately, he decided to take advantage of his time at Ozanam and change the course of his future after staff members helped him to realize that he could not dwell on the past.

"When I got to Ozanam, they taught me that it's okay to feel bad, but I shouldn't let it consume me because then past failures make you continue to fail if you're afraid to try again," he said. "I learned that you can turn your fear into a strength and use it to drive you and push you forward instead of using it as a crutch."

At Ozanam, Francis turned his fear about failing school into a motivator. He even became a teacher's aid.

"When I was a kid, people used to insult me and say that I would never graduate," he said. "I finally used those insults to propel me forward. Plus, I wanted to be the first of my brothers and sisters to graduate." On May 12, 2006, Francis graduated from Ozanam High School.

"When you start trying, it gets easier," he explained. "I decided I might as well try to make something of myself and take advantage of the resources around me at Ozanam."

In this way, Francis discovered his talents in creative writing and photography.

Last semester, he submitted a heartfelt essay about Martin Luther King, Jr. to a writing competition.

Francis's piece was chosen out of hundreds of entries, and his article will be published as a result.

He also became involved in a photography class through Ozanam's Creative Arts Program that sparked his interest.

"I like capturing images of people when they are at their best and their worst, when they are in those real-life moments," he explained. "Later, they can look back on the images and see who they really are."

Having spent enough time looking backward, Francis is ready to move forward. He is planning to enter Ozanam's Pathways Transitional Living Program for young adults in the fall while furthering his education. He plans to study architectural engineering and pursue a minor in photography, first at a community college and then at The University of Kansas in Lawrence.

He became interested in engineering at Ozanam after participating in a program where he learned to assemble a computer. At the end of the program he was able to keep the finished product, and a staff member gave him software about his chosen field to install and then study.

"After I leave, I know I'll miss and remember all of the help and support Ozanam has given me," said Francis. "In the real world, that kind of love and support is hard to find, but I'll remember everything they taught me here so that I don't fail again."