Jesse Goertzen

Meet Jesse, a former student and now a program staff member at The Other Side Academy. Jesse had a challenging start in life as he struggled with shyness and a strong desire to be accepted by his peers. At age 13, he started lying to his parents to hang out with a group of kids down the street, which eventually led him to try drugs. By the time he was 18, he found himself in jail and struggling with addiction to heroin and meth.

Jesse's life continued on a destructive path, and he spent the next five years going in and out of jail for drug possession charges. He also experienced periods of homelessness and strained relationships with his family and loved ones due to his manipulative and emotionally abusive behavior.

At 27 years old, Jesse had a life-changing decision to make: continue on the path of destruction or seek help at The Other Side Academy. He chose the latter and spent five years as a student, where he learned valuable life skills such as accountability, boundary-setting, and self-acceptance.

Jesse's transformation at The Other Side Academy was profound, and he is now a proud member of the program staff team. He works at the Murray Thrift Boutique, where he helps guide students in the right direction and provides support and guidance as a sounding board. Jesse's journey is a testament to the power of personal growth and the ability to turn one's life around with the right mindset and support.