How do you create a meaningful connection with at-risk youth while giving them tools to break the cycle of systemic challenges? What role can mentors and community leaders play in reshaping futures?

Rowan Baptiste is a dedicated Program Director at BAMC, a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts that empowers individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. With over 16 years of experience at Elliott Community Human Services, Rowan has mentored at-risk children and implemented groundbreaking educational programs within detention facilities.

Keith Thompson, a Marine Corps veteran and former corrections officer, has spent over a decade as a Program Director at the Department of Youth Services in Boston. Keith’s transformative leadership includes building trust with incarcerated youth, creating innovative programs, and advocating for long-term change in juvenile rehabilitation.

In this episode, Rowan and Keith share their deeply personal journeys and professional insights into working with at-risk youth. Both guests discuss the systemic challenges faced by incarcerated children and the innovative solutions they’ve developed to address these barriers. Rowan’s work in detention facilities focuses on bringing educational resources, vocational training, and creative programs like Shakespeare workshops directly to the youth. Similarly, Keith’s initiatives use mentorship, hands-on experiences, and even Harvard University field trips to broaden horizons for children trapped in cycles of poverty and crime.

Together, they reflect on the importance of trust, empathy, and representation in reshaping young lives. From introducing vocational skills to encouraging youth to believe in their potential, their approach offers a blueprint for transforming systemic neglect into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of what it takes to bridge the gap between incarceration and hope—and how every small interaction can ripple into a lifetime of impact.