Sometimes It's Simple We were sitting in a booth at the cool new diner on MacArthur, and as I looked at the young man a flood of shared memories filled my thoughts.  In the past couple of years his mother died suddenly, he was unjustly put behind bars and he was forced to essentially start taking care of himself, mostly living with friends on a very difficult and dangerous block in East Oakland.  I cannot fathom the pain, stress and sadness he has faced. Our new life coaching program (rebranded from what we were calling case management) was able to help him polish up his resume and secure a job.  He has been working hard at a warehouse in the East Bay, diligently taking public transportation to work every day, pushing his arms and back to load box after box day after day.  He has been forced to grow up too fast, to take care of himself at too young of an age.  He dreams of getting his own apartment and enjoying some peace and quiet after work, a goal that is becoming more difficult with the dramatically rising rents facing even East Oakland. As we spoke I could sense the tired and weary parts of life that he bears, but I also sensed a quiet determination and clarity of thought that was lacking in the years before.  His story and smile gave me hope that day.  His resilient soul grows more deeply into patience, kindness and even hints of joy.  I asked him directly, “What can I do to encourage you, to help you keep going?  I am so glad you have this job, but what else do you need right now?”  He smiled and slowly said, “This…just this.”  He looked at me, his food and looked around this restaurant.  “This is just what I needed.  I just need this every once in a while.”  Sometimes in our moments of difficulty and danger, we just need someone to check in on us, encourage us, maybe even splurge on a nice meal.  My young friend taught me a lesson that day.  The simple relationships, the encouragement, the texts, the lunches, they really do make a difference.  It might not happen overnight, and life will keep going with its ups and downs and its pain, but a true connection with love and encouragement…this is something we all need. Thank you for your care, prayers and financial support of OLC.  We couldn’t do it without our networks of people who care and support our work mentoring and developing leaders of young men in East Oakland. Grace and peace, Nate Millheim for the Oakland Leadership Center   PLEASE CONSIDER A ONE TIME OR MONTHLY DONATION TO SUPPORT OUR CRUCIAL WORK IN EAST OAKLAND