My name is Bryan Goodman. I am a senior at Southwestern High School. You may recognize me as one of the youth who helped make the Grapevine video. On behalf of the youth of Detroit, I want to welcome you to today’s breakfast, Solutions At Sunrise.

I am a member of Southwest Counseling Solutions’ Youth Board. Along with other youth from Southwest, I train and teach youth all over Wayne County who are in the juvenile justice system.

Before coming to Southwest Solutions I was always in trouble. I picked up assault cases and was arrested several times. My grades and attendance were horrible. I didn’t want to work, often started fights just to prove myself. I committed an Armed Robbery, was caught, pled guilty, and was put on probation. The judge ordered me to start receiving services at Southwest. I did not want to, but I didn’t have a choice.

Once at Southwest, I met two men who helped change my life, Richard and Mario.

Richard showed me how playing football could help me get a scholarship to college. He always told me about young persons like me who he had seen succeed. I got my grades together…from a 0.8 then a 2.3, and last year a 3.9. Richard was there when Mom passed suddenly last year. This hurt and I questioned my faith. Having Richard there for me and caring about me kept me positive.

I admired Mario and saw how powerful a teenager could be. He made me want to be more responsible. He helped me learn public speaking and writing. With his encouragement and lots of hard work, I was chosen to speak to youth groups from around Wayne County. I can see that I am making the same impact on other youth that Mario and Richard made on my life.

Thanks to the experiences and people I’ve met at Southwest, I have changed. I am on the varsity football team (we won a big game Saturday!). I participate in the Youth Board several days a week. And my grades are still excellent.

My ambition is to attend college next year and to someday become a school teacher and a football coach.

A week ago, along with 250 other youth organized by our Youth Board and Southwest, I met and spoke with Robert Bobb and police chief Warren Evans about how to make high schools safer in Detroit.

When I addressed the two of them at the end of the meeting, they didn’t know my past. They saw a leader. They saw how strong and positive youth can be in turning around our schools and our city. And they agreed to work with us to improve police response time when there is trouble around our schools.

Thank you – and I welcome you to Solutions At Sunrise