Dave came to Coda angry and distrustful. His mother struggled with addiction and his father died of an overdose when he was only six. At age nine he begin contemplating suicide. Dave started playing guitar in the Coda Inspire after-school program when he was  11 because he thought it would attract some gals. His first few years in the program, his anger created problems with behavior that sometimes bewildered staff. Yet, those who worked with him saw something remarkable beneath the surface: a unique personality, an innate ability to learn, and undeniable leadership potential. Even though he sometimes led the class into disruption, the staff at Coda recognized the gifts he possessed.

Suddenly, things started to change. Dave shared , “These guys just accepted me. They didn’t even know me yet, but they treated me like I was family. I was somewhere I could finally belong.” Dave began attending Coda Revive, the Tuesday evening faith-based youth group. Dave remarked, “I found myself getting a lot closer to God. Through Coda I found hobbies. I found friends I could trust and not worry about what they were saying behind my back. I get genuine joy hanging around my friends and the staff at Coda. Coda cares, not just for me but for everybody. The kid walking the hall. The kids they don’t even see in person.”

Dave not only attended  Coda camps and after-school programs, but is now serving as an intern and assisting students enrolled in Inspire with drones and drums. “I like giving the kids an opportunity to have someone they can look up to and not make the same mistakes I did, having to teach myself.”

Dave’s transformation is a testament to the power of acceptance, community, and faith. What started as a place to fit in has become a foundation for his growth—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And now, he’s paying it forward, offering the same hope and support to the next generation.