When Caysen first came to LSF Oasis Youth Shelter, school wasn’t a priority. His focus was on caring for his grandfather, the only stable adult figure in his life, and surviving the day-to-day. While his behavior at the shelter was never an issue, his attendance and engagement at school told a different story.
“He just wasn’t in the mindset to focus on school,” said Samuel Laguerre, Shelter Manager at Oasis. “He had so much on his plate already.”
Caysen’s journey through Oasis began during a time when he was facing enormous challenges. His father was not involved, and his mother was struggling with substance abuse. His grandfather, who served as his legal guardian, transported him to and from the shelter and remained his strongest support system.
Then, everything changed.
While Caysen was staying at Oasis, staff received the devastating news that his grandfather had passed away. Understanding the depth of their relationship, Caysen’s mother asked to be the one to tell him. His counselor from West Palm Beach even drove across the state to be with him in Fort Myers when he received the news.
“At first, he thought it wasn’t true,” Samuel recalled. “He broke down, and we gave him space to confirm the news with people from back home. We wanted him to know that he wasn’t alone, and that we were here for him.”
With his grandfather gone, Caysen was left without a legal guardian. The team at Oasis knew the importance of giving him consistency and care in a moment of profound grief. They encouraged him to stay at the shelter, where he was surrounded by people who knew and cared about him. They arranged grief counseling and continued to accompany him to sessions even after discharge.
Throughout his stay, Samuel became a steady, paternal presence in Caysen’s life. “I just wanted to show him someone still had his back,” Samuel said. “He deserved that.” In time, Caysen found his footing. He began showing renewed motivation and took pride in his education, something that once felt out of reach.
“The biggest thing for me was seeing the change in his motivation for school,” said Samuel. “He got to the point where he was excited to show us his schoolwork and his grades.”
After being discharged from Oasis, Caysen is thriving in a family-run boys’ home, where he’s living with four other boys and continuing his education. The home provides structure, requiring the boys to attend school and church, helping them stay on a positive path.
Caysen has expressed deep gratitude to the team at Oasis. “He told us he was thankful we didn’t give up on him,” Samuel shared. “We didn’t discharge him or turn him away. We stood by him.”
Caysen’s story is a testament to the power of consistency, compassion, and a community that chooses to show up, especially in the hardest moments.
