Ronald Waddell, Jr. (“Ron” )
Jorge Ramos, Jr. (“Junito” )
Age: 33
Caseworker, Full-Time (3 months)
Fluent in English and Spanish
Faith Journey
“When I was young, my Dad was
in and out of prison and in and out of my life. My Mom
took me to church, sometimes five or six days a week. At
thirteen, I decided I did not want my life to be like my
Dad’s, dedicated my life to Jesus, and formed a worship
band, Son of David, to share my faith.”
Path to Straight Ahead Ministries
“I always wanted to invest in and work with youth. At
my church, I was a volunteer working with the teenagers.
This led to a position as Youth Director. My band, still
performing today, performed at a youth lock-up facility
in Shrewsbury. There, I met a SAM volunteer doing Bible
Studies, and she told me that Straight Ahead was looking
to expand and needed someone to work with the kids.”
Age: 34
Director, Case Management, Full-Time (4 months)
Fluent in English and Spanish
Faith Journey
“I was born in South Jersey and
grew up in Church. My Mom took me and my three sisters
to church every week. When I was four, my Dad abandoned our family due to a cocaine addiction, and he eventually wound up in prison. When I was in high school,
my Mom died of cancer, and I found myself living with
and getting kicked out of relatives’ homes in New Jersey
and Massachusetts, experimenting with drugs, and couch
surfing between friends’ homes and dorm rooms. After
settling in Worcester, I returned to church, and my Pastor
invited me to accompany him to Bible Studies at a youth
lock-up facility. Eventually I began designing and leading
Bible Studies for juvenile offenders. Through this process,
I rediscovered my faith and wanted to share it with others.”
Greatest Challenge at Straight Ahead
Path to Straight Ahead Ministries “I was
doing a Bible Study at a youth detention facility and met
a Straight Ahead Outreach Worker. We stayed in touch
over the next few years, and he called me when a position
became available.”
Greatest Joy at Straight Ahead
“Knowing when to let the kids fail, and having them learn
that their true Savior is Jesus.”
“For the youth to believe that God has a greater purpose
for their lives beyond survival.”
“Seeing
the youth laugh. When they come in off the street, they
can let their guard down and just be themselves.”
Personal Married 3 years to Betsy, 6 children,
founder and lead vocals of Son of David (which will be
playing at the upcoming Above & Beyond National
Conference in April).
Greatest Challenge at Straight Ahead
Greatest Joy at Straight Ahead
“When
the kids begin to realize that their identity comes from
Christ, not from their past.”
Personal
writes poetry.
Married 10 years to Sharice, 2 children,
Straight Ahead Ministries | 791 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610 | 508.753.8700 | www.straightahead.org