In 2001 UYI organized an Impact Basketball Camp at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Almost 100 inner-city boys signed up for the camp, including twelve-year-old Ricky Aiken. During the camp, Ricky prayed to receive Christ.
In 2005 Ricky applied for the Summer Work Program. He was an exceptional employee, demonstrating great maturity and leadership. Due to his quick smile and upbeat attitude, not many people knew his personal story. Ricky's mother was addicted to drugs at the time, so she wasn't able to care for Ricky and Farad, his little brother, as she would have liked. Ricky and Farad took up residence in an empty house and lived off of snacks from the corner store. Ricky eventually dropped out of high school. The staff at UYI quickly embraced him, encouraging him to grow in his faith and not give up.
Ricky is now living at the Impact House, UYI's discipleship house in the inner-city, and working with The Leadership Academy, where he loves to be with the kids. Ricky earned his GED in April 2008 and wants to become a firefighter.
Fast forward two years...
On May 10, 2010 Ricky graduated from the EMT Program at Palm Beach State College, so he is now more equipped to work as a firefighter! In the inner-city, many insurmountable factors are working against young people as they pursue their dreams -- and some have no dreams at all. We are so proud of Ricky for not only dreaming big, but also overcoming the many obstacles in his life to make his dream a reality! "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy." (Proverbs 13:12)
Pictured above: Ricky Aiken (right) and his brother, Farad Cobb, following Ricky's graduation ceremony.
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