A high school student who just turned 16 was struggling with substance use and “got into a lot of trouble.”

Part of that trouble was being charged with and adjudicated of marijuana possession, which led him to the Juvenile Services (JS) office.

Today, Santiago Torres is sober and studying hard to earn his high school diploma at Chase High School.

Torres credits JS and Charity Muth, owner of Stepping Stones to Recovery, for helping him turn his life around and guiding him down a better path.

Muth offered Torres cognitive-based services, using the Change Companies curriculum, evidence-based practices and a series of workbooks.

A few goals of this therapy are to: identify and challenge negative thoughts; replace them with realistic and positive thoughts; develop coping mechanisms; and change maladaptive behaviors.

“I had not had any cognitive classes before this,” Torres said. “I enjoyed the classes and was able to move on from some stuff that I had held back.”

He also noted that the cognitive classes helped him look at things in a different way and cleared up his thinking process.

The teenager’s main goal now is to finish high school. “I want to do all I can to make it through all the requirements.”

Thanks to the guidance and support of JS and Muth, Torres believes he can reach his goal.

Charity Muth

Muth met weekly with Torres for six months after the JS referral.

“Santiago presents a powerful success story marked by resilience and personal growth,” Muth said. “He came from bleak beginnings, shaped by caretaking responsibilities and limited support. He also faced significant educational, cultural and wellness barriers.

“But over time, he learned to support others and care for himself by developing self-love and self-awareness. Through openness and a genuine willingness to engage in our services, Santiago learned to trust the process and actively lean into new coping skills during overwhelmingly stressful times.”

His growth is further reflected in his ability to be a supportive and loyal friend, Muth commented.

“Fiercely loyal and deeply committed to his own healing, he demonstrates how perseverance, trust and self-compassion can lead to lasting change.

“Santiago owns his truth and his story, while addressing his shortcomings. He does not feel sorry for himself or deflect responsibility onto others. He has consistently showed up as an authentic version of himself.”

Juvenile Services

Marissa Woodmansee, JS executive director, said “we have seen many positive behavioral changes in Santiago and other clients because Charity Muth directly engages with young people who need cognitive services.

“We are so fortunate to have a professional in our community who specializes in this type of therapy and builds a rapport with young people.”

In addition, the contract with Muth provides fiscal responsibility that is always important, but especially now, in consideration of possible funding cuts in the future, Woodmansee noted.

“Evidence-based-program funds, which support this program, are doing exactly as the state intended,” she commented. “The funds are allocated to our judicial district, which applies local strategies that address risks relevant to local youth and families.

“We are making an affordable, positive impact in central Kansas, as opposed to removing young people from their home communities.”

Muth’s services are supported by the Juvenile Justice Evidence-Based Program grant from the Kansas Department of Corrections, which requires JS to offer varied program hours to clients.

20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.