In May of 2006, Jacob Favela arrived at Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram. He was a well-mannered, quiet 17-year old. He had been in state’s care on and off since he was a small boy.

We welcomed him into the family, as each child is welcomed. His RDF (resident data form) read that he had been in and out of placements since the age of five, when his mother left him with his younger brothers outside of a bar. It also read that he was quiet and reserved, and enjoyed writing, reading, and music.

Using this information to connect Jacob with Ranch resources, including the Arts Center and the teachers who work with residents interested in the arts, Jacob was encouraged to come into the music studio, write about his life, and record some songs. Before long, he had a whole CD ready for production. He spent countless hours in the studio with recording engineer Tony Young, putting the final touches on an 11-song album.

He performed his songs at Ranch gatherings, for adults as well as fellow Youth Ranchers. People began to take notice, and heads began to turn. Were we hearing what we thought we were hearing? This young man’s music told poignant stories of childhood traumas – of a mother who was addicted to drugs and alcohol, of the younger brothers and sister who Jacob undertook to protect, and of experiences he encountered while moving through the Texas foster care system. Film producer Tony Gallucci took note and produced a music video of one of the songs that left viewers speechless.

Before long, Jacob was being asked to perform for larger audiences. He quietly accepted these opportunities, using the experiences to "help myself heal. With every word I sing, or story I share with others, I feel a little bit of the pain leaving me. It is my own personal therapy." Jacob has performed at other children’s facilities, youth groups, countless talent shows (all of which he has won), and other health and human service forums, such as women’s shelters and rape crisis centers.

In late September, Jacob traveled to Denver, Colorado to perform at the National Independent Living Conference, sponsored by PAL, the Preparation for Adult Living program. He was this year’s headline performer. He not only performed his music, but also delivered a speech on forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a key theme in Jacob’s writing. Almost as amazing as his musical abilities, Jacob has grasped the idea of forgiveness in a way that most adults still struggle with. The title to his break-out song is "Forgiven", a song dedicated to his mother, someone whom Jacob has not been in contact with for many years.

Says Jacob, "I used to feel animosity towards my mom which made me constantly angry and disappointed, and I blamed her. As I started writing, my emotions went from anger and sadness to finding peace in my situation," Jacob explains. "It was as if my heart was changed as my words flowed on the paper. I love my mom. She’s gonna be my mother no matter what. All I can do is forgive her, have faith and pray. But I also forgive her for me. I don’t want that weighing me down."

Jacob is a young man with wisdom and compassion beyond his years. And his ability to express what he knows is rare indeed. I’ve yet to meet a person of any age who has not been touched by Jacob, whether it be after listening to one of his songs, watching one of his music videos, or simply sharing a meal with the young man.

Two of his music videos have been posted on You Tube, and have so far been seen by more than 10,000 viewers. This volume of viewers was recently discovered by the Ranch, when Jacob’s fans found our website, and we were suddenly bombarded by requests for copies of music, poetry books, and information packets about the Ranch and its arts programs. Following a news article about Jacob that went out on the AP wire, the volume of requests jumped more than 1000% over a two day period! It has now become an employee’s daily task to fill the information requests generated by Jacob’s story. More CDs and DVDs have been made and poetry books printed.

Over the summer, while many of his fellow teens were sleeping late or tubing at the river, Jacob attended a Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. Daily reports from the leaders of the two-week conference said that Jacob was "demonstrating extraordinary leadership skills", even among the nation’s hand-picked elite high school students.

Before and after attending such conferences, and making his musical appearances, Jacob worked in the Ranch’s Summer Work Crew Program, serving as an apprentice work crew leader doing landscaping and tree trimming. Never too "big" for any task, Jacob became one of the most respected Ranch workers, both by team leaders, and his teammates as well. "Jacob brought something to the group every day," Terio Alvarez, his work crew leader says. "He was always on time and followed directions, but he always gave us more. He worked well with his teammates. Even though he could have delegated to the others, Jacob took the hardest tasks on himself. He was a great example. He was the leader we hope all of our kids become."

A senior in high school this year, Jacob plans to be an architect. He remembers as a young boy, building miniature structures with wooden matches. "I always told my mom I was going to build her a house." Jacob remembers. He now plans to design buildings for others to live in and enjoy. He is taking electives in school to prepare him for the college experience and plans to "help as many other kids as possible" before and after he gradautes. "Hopefully," He says, "one or more of these other kids will take something that they have seen from me and use it in their daily life and future."

This seems to be Jacob’s nature – to live a life that touches others. He strives to heighten awareness of the perils of living as a ward of the state. Jacob says, "The children in CPS custody have an amazing struggle. They live with a stigma. Some handle it better than others. Automatically when some people hear I’m a foster child, they put that ‘bad kid’ label on me. But no, I am not a trouble child; I am a troubled child. But, I don’t let that change me. I keep my head up, and I encourage others to do the same."