Jasson is focusing on building relationships while in program.

Jasson, born in El Salvador, was 2 years old when his mother moved to the United States to better support her son. “When she left, the first couple years I was bounced around with her friends or family,” he said. “They didn’t really want me there though. There was a lot of physical abuse. I don’t really remember much if it.”

When he was 5, Jasson’s uncle took him in, but his wife was also violent towards Jasson. “She was physically, mentally, and verbally abusive to me,” he admitted, “which I think impacted the way I think a lot. It was a lot of physical abuse for no reason. As a kid, you can’t really understand it.”

For Jasson, life in El Salvador “wasn’t great.” While his mother sent money back home for his care, none of it was used for Jasson’s needs. He struggled with school academically, but safety was also an issue. “I grew up between two rival gangs. Sometimes we couldn’t go to school, and there was always gunfire around. When I was 9 or 10, they tried to recruit kids. Thankfully, I moved out of there.”

By the time Jasson was 11, his mother had saved up enough money for Jasson to join her in the States. Jasson, now 22, recalls having an isolated upbringing. His mother was always working and he “struggled to make relationships with people,” he said. “I had no social life. For the past 10 years, I have let my mom depend on me. I was raising my younger siblings, making sure they had food, getting them to school and doctor’s appointments. It was always me.”

Jasson graduated high school and completed trade school for mechanics. Struggling with depression, loneliness and increasing drug usage, Jasson came to the Mission. “The Mission has taught me about God and knowing that God is always there for me.

“They’ve accepted me here. I was at a point when I thought I wasn’t good enough for anything. I’ve learned that the abuse, neglect, everything I experienced, was never my fault.”

His isolated upbringing caused Jasson to fear building meaningful relationships with people. It’s an area in his life that Jasson is determined to change. “My whole goal is to be able to establish relationships with people, starting with the people at the Mission.

“Very quickly, I learned it’s okay to be vulnerable here. It’s okay to tell my problems to others, which I struggle with. I usually bottle them up. The most impactful thing for me is having people that will listen to my problems, which I’ve always kept inside.”

Jasson has reconciled with his mother, who apologized for relying on him too heavily. After graduation, Jasson is planning on entering the Transitional Living Program and hopes to continue to work as a mechanic. But no matter what he does, he knows he’s sticking close to God.

“Staying with God is the biggest thing for me. Doing everything I do for God has made my mind more positive. I can do anything through Him.”