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Friday, December 13, 2024

Circling Back – Where is Keenan now?

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Keenan couldn’t believe it when he walked into Wrigley Field for the first time. He had never stepped foot in a large stadium before and then he found himself working there. It was quite a journey for Keenan, from struggling with homelessness to working in the home of one of baseball’s most legendary teams.

He says he didn’t have much of a home life growing up; in fact it, was very unstable. He moved from house to house until a friend told him about 360 Youth Service’s Transitional Housing Program. Keenan says he was hesitant at first, but realized he needed guidance and maturity. He found both in the program, along with other valuable skills. He was especially afraid of losing his stability since it was the first he was experiencing it. The 360 program gave him the mental tools to succeed.

He still remembers this quote he learned at 360: “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”

That future is unfolding now. Keenan successfully exited the program three years ago, and shares an apartment with a young man who has been his best friend since they were ten. The application for the Cubs position required an essay on why he should be hired. Clearly, the essay he submitted was a home run. He is part of the set-up and grounds crews and helps maintain the Wrigley Field facilities.

It’s a win for the Cubs and him, too. And that’s where Keenan is now.

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360 Youth Services
360 Youth Serviceshttp://www.360youthservices.org/
360 Youth Services provide life-changing services to youth through substance abuse prevention education, counseling and housing.
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