My Story

For those of you who are unfamiliar with who I am, my name is Derrick Earls.  I am a 26 year old male, who graduated from Appalachian State University in 2010.  My area of studies were focused in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, minoring in Criminal Justice.  During and post collegiate studies, I had the privilege of working with several Not-for-Profits throughout my life.  I begin working with the YMCA as a summer camp counselor and did this through 5 summers.  The last summer I was promoted to the Assistant Summer Camp Director and we had an elite summer.  However, the credit goes out to my amazing team and some of the coolest kids in the world!  Spending my summer with awesome kids and enjoying being a kid myself was truly an amazing experience!  I wish every kid in college or not in college would take advantage of giving back in some form to other youth throughout their summer.  You would be amazed how much fun you would have yourself, as well as how much you would learn about yourself.

Upon completing my final summer and receiving my degree, I transferred to the Statesville YMCA, more specifically the Barium Springs YMCA.  My goal in this transition was to build a stronger relationship with my mother.  My relationship with my mother had been strained through my parent’s divorce, distance and trying to grow into my own skin as an adult male.  I knew the idea of a big job and making money was not pressing.  As a Program Coordinator at the Barium Springs YMCA, I would encounter at-risk youth on a daily basis and lead structured activities to develop social skills, healthy living and positive redirection in the lives of young adults.  Shortly thereafter, I would soon find myself transitioned to Barium Springs Home for Children.  Here I would be an Individual Family Teacher working at a Level II Substance Abuse Group Home where I would live a full week, 24/7.  I would then have a week off to recover.  My goal was to perfect every at-risk youth I encountered.  This was a tough lesson for me to swallow, but I would learn that this was not my place and the final choice would be in the youth(s) hands.  I mean I should have known better, I wasn’t a poster child myself!  I dealt with all types of in your face behaviors, disrespect, attitudes, etc.  However, the behaviors are not the focus here.  The underlying message here was that someone, something, some experience had or was causing these types of behaviors.  I had experienced this through my own story in life, so I knew how to relate.  I learned through my experience/education at Barium Springs that mental illness and trauma were REAL.  My CHOICE…. To provide a solution and be the best Individual Family Teacher possible.  Give these youth and others love, compassion, attention and most importantly a shoulder to lean on.  I knew that this was what was needed because I had experienced this same support from mentors throughout my entire life.  I want to give a huge shout out to all direct care staff working with at-risk youth/youth on a daily basis.  These saints have one of the toughest jobs in our Society.  Be sure to thank them, love on them and be grateful of their service.

April 15, 2014 was a sad, but exciting day for me.  I turned my 30 day resignation into Barium Springs Home for Children.  I had just spent the past three and one-half years of my life impacting others at Barium Springs Home for Children.  I had worked as an Individual Family Teacher for about one and one-half years, and completed Contract Management and Accounting duties for the remaining two.  The Barium Springs family and my Co-Workers, the Direct Care Staff who were kind-hearted/hard working, The Development Team, and last but not least, the amazing kids and families who we had the privilege of impacting through our Vision and Mission.  Extra thanks goes out to the staff who work directly with our kids daily and also The Development Team.  The Development Team ensured our Direct Care Staff/Clients underwent nothing short of the brightest Summer, Birthday, Easter, Christmas, etc.  These ladies showed me the true value of love for others alongside our gracious donors.  All of these individuals combined laid the foundation to showing a child and family the new meaning of a healthy life.

The next Adventure and drastic change in my LIFE would arrive in 30 days!  Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail!  Just to provide a little oversight about the Appalachian Trail.  The trail ranges from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine.  It runs through 14 different states and covers +/- 2,100 miles.  There are several hardworking organizations along with the Appalachian Trail Community who spend vast amounts of time conserving the trail.  Their hard work and volunteer hours are heavily noted and much appreciated!  The last interesting facts are in regards to the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Maine.  The White Mountains have held records winds of 231 miles per hour and it can snow there any time of the year.  The rest you will encounter as you Journey alongside me through my blog.