July Face of a Foster Care Graduate Feature-Thomas Leon Watson
July 6, 2009
Our July feature comes to us from Lithia Springs, Georgia. He is inspirational in many ways, one of which is that he continues to stay in touch with the organization that helped him turn his life around. He speaks openly at charity functions, sharing his story with children who are at risk or already in the system. A child in the system can encounter Foster Care homes, Institutions, and Orphanages. Some children who enter the system will spend time in each and others only one. Thomas did not end up in foster care, his area of the system was an institution, however he is still a graduate of the system and we are honored to share our platform with him. Regardless of which area a child spends time in, the likely emotional traumas and risk for abuse are similar. Please welcome Thomas Leon…….
Name: Thomas Leon Watson
State: Georgia
Occupation: Financial Industry Professional
Marital Status: Married
Favorite source of inspiration: Sharing his story and volunteering his time with charitable organizations
Favorite inspirational book: The Bible-New International Version
Thomas started out like most children-innocent, trusting and full of love
The power of overcoming:
I remember at the age of four years old, my mother decided to move from Virginia to Georgia. My father helped load the truck and my brother, myself and mom got in the truck and left. I remember asking my mother why my father is not coming with us. I started to cry because I did not understand why my father was not going with us. This was the first of many times that I felt abandoned. But as kids do, I went with the flow. I wanted my father to be there to throw the football, shoot the basketball, and hit the baseball with me. The neighborhood that I grew up in there had only one family that had a father figure around and that was my best friend’s father. Nobody else in the projects where I grew up at had a father in their household. I remember the first boyfriend that my mom had. I thought he’s going to become my father, he will teach me football, basketball, baseball and teach me how to be a man… Then I remember that day. Let’s say his name was Mr. J, he picked me up, sat me on the countertop and said that he’s leaving, that he will no longer be around. My eye’s teared up and tears ran down my face. I remember thinking what did I do? Why are you leaving…? Then, he turned his back and left never to return again. As a kid, this did hurt, but I returned back to playing and being a kid. But the scars were there. The same scenario repeated itself at least ten more times. After the fifth boyfriend or so the hurt and disappointment turned into anger, resentment and hatred toward any man that came into our lives. I decided that I would not TRUST anyone. I put a protective shield around my heart and said nobody will ever hurt me again.
This anger and resentment turned into rage and at the age of twelve years old I plotted to murder my mother’s boyfriend, he was emotionally and physically abusive to her. I told my brother to get his attention and I would come from the back of MR B (boyfriend) and stab him from the back thru his heart. As soon as I was about to carry out this act I heard a gunshot in the air and MR B ran off, he got away. The man that shot the gun into the air saw what I was about to do and he messed my plan up… This made me mad. Later I realized that what that neighbor did saved me from life as a criminal and life in jail. The anger, resentment, bitterness, hatred that I had filled up in my heart lead me to be institutionalized at the age of fourteen. Yes, I was placed in a mental hospital and had to take medication. This I did not understand. Why am I here? Why do I have to take medication? I’m an athlete- Why me? I was hospitalized each year as a teenager from 14-18 years old (staying at least 3 months at a time). After being discharged I would have to return to the hospital to get stabilized on medication because I would stop taking it. I stopped taking it because I did not think it was normal. None of my other friends or classmates had to take any kind of medication. Plus, I was an athlete and felt like I could not function taking that medication. It was a challenge going to school every day, to study, focus, concentrate and to just be a normal kid. People around me did not understand what I was going through, especially my closest friends and family. During these years between high school and mental hospital I experienced a lot of rejection, loss friends and broken relationships.
Then in 1987, a young lady met me in the hospital and she connected me with an organization called Chris Kids. This organization has group homes for ages 6-17 and Independent Living Program for ages 17-21(to transitions teenagers and young adults from foster care, treatment facilities or detention into self-sufficient adults). After graduating high school I went to Chris Kids Independent Living Program. This was one of the changes that helped turn my life around. I arrived at Chris Kids at the age of 17 and scared to death. I took an Amtrak train ride from my hometown to Atlanta, Georgia by myself. All I had was a suitcase full of clothes and I remember thinking, “what am I doing leaving the projects where I grew up, my mother, brother and friends?” Then, I remembered that this decision for me to go to Chris Kids was made by my mother, therapist and doctors. My first day at Chris Kids I met my Therapist; she picked me up from the train station. Then took me to the place where I was going to be staying. We drove into an apartment complex and she introduced me to my residential counselor. Then I was taken to the apartment where I would be living. Honestly, it was a nice apartment, fully furnished. Then I was introduced to my roommate and to the other kids that were in the program. Then came the rules: curfews, cleaning, must work 20- 40 hrs week or be in school (college), had to buy my own food and cook for myself. I said this is no group home. This is living on my own. With a lot of rules and supervision. To a 17 year old transitioning from a mental hospital I thought this was a bit too much. But I adjusted. We had group sessions about looking for a job, interviewing, etc. I went on to get a job at Old Country Buffet, and then I started working two jobs at Long John Silver’s and Captain D’s. But I soon would lose job after job because I still carried around the anger, resentment, hatred, and I did not trust people. I would get into fights on the job. Meanwhile, I’m going to therapy, I had to attend sessions if I was going to stay in Chris Kids. This is where the layer of onions began to peel. I began to talk about my childhood and all the feeling that I had. Someone, after all these visits to the mental hospital really took an interest in me and listened. It took years of counseling to work on me. Chris kid’s motto is healing children, strengthening families, and building community. I’m a walking testimony that a child can be healed, and move on to become a productive citizen in society. My relationship with my family was strengthened and I’m now helping to build a community that gives to this great organization that helped save my life.
Before leaving Chris Kids I was introduced to God by a member of the Atlanta Church of Christ (now known as Atlanta Metropolitan Christian Church). Reading the bible and seeing that Jesus died for me and that all the inner pain that I had carried for years: the anger, bitterness, resentment, hatred, and abandonment he carried on the cross and he died for me. Too see that he also died for all those that may have caused me pain whether they knew it or not. This helped me to forgive, heal and move on. Today, I thank God for every part of my life. The good, bad, ugly and sad. I would not be the Man I am today without this or him. I thank God for every person that he put in my life that helped me through these difficult times and you know who you are. I hope and pray that my story can touch and give hope to any person that’s in need of inspiration.
A Transformed man with large and loving heart
I’m proud to say I’m 39 years old and married to an awesome lady named Juliana Watson. I’ve had the opportunity to work for Bellsouth Mobility, AT&T, Prudential Bank, Verizon and presently I work at Hyundai Motor America in their finance department. The major highlight in my life is volunteering at Chris Kids and Hope worldwide. It’s been a blessing to have been given a chance to speak with the kids at Chris kids, corporate donors and volunteers and to share my story. I am not ashamed of my story and where I came from and will tell it to a rock if it will listen. Sharing my story allows me to connect with my passion which brings me great joy. Thank you for listening, please comment and pass our website links to everyone on your e-mail list. You never know who may need inspired.
What is CHRIS kids?
“Our mission is to heal children, strengthen families, and build community. Our core values are Creativity, Honor, Respect, Integrity and Safety: CHRIS.”
“Since 1981, we have delivered a broad continuum of critical services to children, youth and families allowing them to reach their natural potential for happiness, health and success. We offer free residential and summer programs to homeless children and youth and affordable mental health and substance abuse counseling to local families.We believe kids are assets to be developed, not problems to be solved. Our goal is to save kids from slipping through the cracks and help them grow up to be productive citizens.”
To learn more about this amazing organization, please visit www.chriskids.org
What is Hope World Wide?
“HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy.”
Hope worldwide: www.hopeww.org
Comments
24 Responses to “July Face of a Foster Care Graduate Feature-Thomas Leon Watson”
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This is fantastic and I am so proud of the work that Thomas Leon Watson and Chris Kids accomplished. I have been a proud supporter of Chris Kids for several years and I will keep on supporting this great organization for all the work they do.
I am so proud of you that you have over came your hardship and the man you are today full of love and a giving heart.
Your wife,
Juliana Watson
Thomas is truly an awesome person full of the courage and determination from God to overcome every obstacle standing in the way of total victory. He has made great progress and I love him very much. ( I love his wife Julianna as if she were my own sister).
Thomas,
You and I hve known each other for quite some time. You are one of my closest friends, close confidant and business mentor. In reading your entire life story, I am fighting back tears because I realize just why you are in my life. Your example has shown me-a man who grew up with a father and a mother who supported everything that I did and wanted to do-to live my life without excuses and to make every effort to live life to the fullest as the man God Almighty intended me to be. I am extremely proud of you as a black man and extremely humbled to be your friend and brother in Christ. God Bless!!
Marcus E. Brown
Everyone can identify with Christ in some way, but in your up bringing and hardship- you can identify more than most. I think God and your mom are very proud of the way you have perservered over the years. Thank you for being a friend and an example for us.
Thomas, you are absolutely amazing!!! Thank you for sharing your story. It is full of courage, triumph, inspiration and hope. As an elementary school counselor I periodically use Chris Kids as one of my resources. Because of your story, Chris Kids will have a special place in my heart and it gives me even more hope for the children I serve. May God continue to bless you, Juliana and your entire family above anything you could ever ask, think or imagine.
Your friend and sister in Christ,
Brenda
From childhood, I’ve known you as Leon Watson. So with all due respect, Leon, I appreciate you sharing your story with all who will listen. As I read your testimony, my mind took me back to some of the times when we as your classmates witnessed your struggle. Unaware of the sources that initiated the actions, it saddens me that no one was there at the time to reach out to help you. But God… who is the creator and knows the plan for our lives allowed the right people to come along and save as well as preserve your future quality of life. To God Be The Glory!!! On behalf of the rest of your childhood friends, We thank God for the organization Chris Kids for saving our friend.
Cassandra G. Wilkins
This is on point brother! Thomas I am so proud of you. I know I have never said that to you, but I am. To see where we were when we were growing up together and to know most of the struggles you had while living right next to me all of those years and then to see where God has brought you now is more than amazing. I have always considered you to be my best friend and my brother and to be reunited with you over the past few months has been so rewarding. Your story and ministry should and will be an inspiration to many children to come and my hope and prayer is that I will be able to share in that with you. Thank you for all that you do in our community and for the heart and passion you have for our youth, especially those in foster care. Not only do we share a common bond as friends, brothers in the Lord but also as advocates for our youth and one day soon us two “Braswell Street Boys” will work side by side in this crusade to give the children of this society a hope fpr the future. I love you brother. God bless!
Thomas, you are to be commended for the growth and development you have mastered. Yes, you are an inspiration and I’m so blessed to know you and to be a part of your life. Not only are you an overcomer you are an example of what it means to be a man in love with life and with his wife and she with you.
Continue to encourage, inspire and teach the love that has been taught to you and given to you. Glad to call you a son of mine, love you.
Thomas Leon Watson, I am extremely proud of you. I am thankful for your story and your life. You are definately a man of God and a man of impact. Your story, from the first time I heard it has moved me. I am amazed at the power of God and the power of the human spirit. You are a great example and shining star to what God can do in people’s live’s. He has turned your life of trauma into triump! Continue your great work with Chris Kids. I am grateful to call you friend.
Much love,
Latisha
As a childhood friend I never knew just what was going on in your life. Until one day my mother explained it to me. I didn’t get it then but now I know as an adult I’ve experienced the same thing with my child who has an illness. Me and my family are so proud of you sharing your testimonty. We love you and continue the great work!
Thomas, I could see your glow when I ran into you at church years ago. It was great seeing you doing so well. It’s even greater hearing your inspiring story! Thank you for sharing this. It can be very difficult to open your heart and soul to a world that brought you so much strife and pain. I really appreciate you for doing this. I’m positive that it has and will help “heal” so many others.
I’m wishing you many more blessings as you continue to bless others in your own special way. Congratulations also for choosing and marrying such a beautiful wife.
Peace,
Tammy “McGarity” von Nordheim
Childhood Friend…
Again, praise the Lord for another child that made it through!
Wow! Mr. Watson what a wonderful story! What a wonderful man. Beacuse of his drive, love, determination and committment to the Lord, Mr. Watson met me, introduced me to the Lord and I became a disciple of Jesus in July of 1993! Mr. Watson was my first “date with a Christian man”, and his love for God truly set the example as to how Christian dating and living should honor and glorify God. He has risen over the adversity common to him while a young man-as his story portrays.
Mr & Mrs Watson also had an incredible influence on my son, who looked up to the both of them with utmost respect, as mentors, leaders and friends.
Thank you for sharing your life, giving me life, and for you both being an eternal friend over the years.
Love ya- Candace-
We have not known you for long. But long enough to know and see the how much of a gift of God that you are to me and others. Thank you for sharing your story. So many times we all have struggles in our lives from past that hold us back from the potential for what we can and should be. But then God puts people in our lives like you and programs like Chris Kids to help guide us in areas where we were lost. To where we are now found and take our test and move us into a testimony. We thank God for your commitment, strength, perseverance, care, giving spirit, determined drive make a difference in others and to be used as a gift to others by showing how good God is. Continued best blessings to you and your family. We thank you for being a part of our lives and the lives of others to help them continue to press on and to be the best that God meant for us to be. So proud to know you and to be a part of our life.
Love Byron & Ty Davis
Thomas, Your story is a miracle that needs to be told to everyone who will listen.
John
Wow this is inspiring story. Stories like this give people in their lives, especially when they are faced with simular circumstances like Thomas did. Thomas is my best friend and I’ve known him now for 11years. I’ve seen the evidence of Jesus thats in him. From where his life story to now, I would have never known that he had been through so much. Thomas is an encouraging brother and his wife. He love kids, and really do share alot of his heart to many people, no matter who they are. Thats compassion Jesus. Many people just do not turn out well in life after going through life like Thomas did. Thomas transition in life worked Amen, it worked.
Wow Leon that’s what I know you by. I hate that there was no one around when you really needed help. I couldn’t understand why you would distance yourself from the circle view crew, but like you said being a kid we went with the flow. I have the up most respect for you because you pulled yourself up by your own boot straps and made a difference. I never forgot about you or Curtis and often wished that I would someday see you and your brother again. This is a great testimony. God is truly good.
Thomas,
your story is so inspiring and touching! Continue to encourage people with your testimony.
Thomas,
I am so glad that you are sharing your life journey with the world. So many young males, particularly African American males, are experiencing what you went through as a child. It is refreshing to see you as a conquerer of disparity giving back to help broken, disheartened youth move to a place of wellness. I commend you for your efforts.
Since meeting you and your wife Juliana, the two of you have been my role model of marriage (with you showing me a wonderful example of manhood and Juliana showing me a beautiful model of womanhood). Reading your story just confirmed what I have already known.
I love you guys.
This is a truly heart warming story and I am so proud of Thomas Leon Watson. I have been a supporter of Chris Kids in the past and will support them wihenever my financial situation aloows me the opportunity.
Your story is inspirational and does give me hope. I see that in the end, God prevails, and good triumps over evil. Also, that God is there for us, even in our worst moments. Thanks for living your experience and for doing so in God’s love. I appreciate you and see that you are a healed, happy, whole and healthy man. Thanks for reaching out to me in this season of my life.
This is an amazing story of someone who I have befriended for 11 years, but never really “knew” him. Thomas is “truly a walking testimony” of how God is real and full of grace and blessings….
Thomas your story is so amazing, as I was reading it tears were falling and I was so touched. God has been good to you, he has spared your life for a reason and you are truly a blessed man of God. I will share this story with others. Thanks you for sharing it with us.