Four Seasons of Healing at YouthLink

Red, Black, White and Yellow are colors that guide Jackson*, a young Native American and current YouthLink client, every day. “Red stands for spiritual healing, black stands for emotional healing, white stands for intellectual healing and yellow stands for physical healing,” he said. “They also represent the four seasons to me and I use all of these aspects to remain grounded throughout the year.”

Jackson grew up with no stability in his life. “My parents were alcoholics and drug addicts,” he said. “I went to fourteen different schools when I was younger. I saw a lot of grimy stuff.” Due to this trauma, he found himself on the streets at age 16. “A friend suggested I check out YouthLink and I’ve been coming here since I was 17,” he said. His first impression upon visiting the drop-in center would warm the heart of YouthLink’s onsite chef – “The food was fire!”

He says the best part of coming to YouthLink is the staff who have helped him get connected to services to create a better path for himself. “Because of what I had experienced as a kid, I had made myself my own worst enemy and it took me time to become a friend to myself,” he said. “The case managers here are relatable because they’ve been through some of the same things.”
Jackson also connected with a volunteer often onsite to do energy healings and now works as a spirit guide for others. “I like to restore people’s energy and do tarot card readings for them,” he said. “Tarot cards are truthful and sometimes they even call me out. I’ve found that the path to enlightenment can be trippy and no two paths are the same.” His surroundings at YouthLink help guide him throughout the year as he works on his own path to healing – “The people who you surround yourself with are the people who are going to influence you,” he said. “I’ve found people here who have helped me experience change.”

“Jackson is an impeccable human being,” said YouthLink staff member Angel Dolfay. “I have known him for years and have seen him go through some of the hardest things in life. He has a personality who puts others first so I’m happy to see when he’s focused on himself. All of the youth we serve are important but he has a special place in my heart.”

*Name has been changed to protect client privacy