Leading the Way to a Successful Future

“Xavier” grew up in a broken home. His childhood was hard and it left him a very reserved, insecure and irresponsible 12-year-old. His mother noticed the path her son was going down, and she knew she needed to do something for him, so she enrolled him in Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Xavier’s first year as a scout was hard to watch. He was slow to advance, reluctant to engage in activities and he always shied away from responsibilities. He really enjoyed camping, but often forgot equipment, clothing, food – you name it, it was forgotten or lost. But with each BSA outing, BSA continued to provide the opportunities and encouragement to reflect on responsibilities, planning and leadership, even if it was just leadership of self.

Then, Xavier began getting involved in the BSA’s STEM program, and it opened his eyes to all sorts of new possibilities – but mostly, it gave him the chance to find a program he could thrive in. Soon, he had earned the Robotics merit badge and began taking a leadership role in outings and activities, especially those involving robotics or engineering. His peers took note of his newfound leadership skills and they elected him as Patrol Leader.

Because of United Way, Boy Scouts of America and you, so many children have the opportunity to find their talents and develop the skills they need to be their most successful selves. Because of you, Xavier, the once reserved, insecure and irresponsible young man, had the resources to develop into a strong, confident leader with a sense of responsibility in school and at home.

Note: United Way works to improve the lives of all Central Indiana residents by focusing our work in four key areas – Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs. Crossroads of America Council – Boy Scouts of America is a United Way-funded agency addressing one or more of these priorities by preparing young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.