INDEPENDENCE AND STABILITY THROUGH CONNECTION AND HARD WORK

Truett’s STORY

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Truett Rose-Noneo is 20 years old, and a recent graduate of Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin in Oregon. Truett is an enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes and is an Aquatic Resource Technician at their fish hatchery. Recently, Truett leased an apartment in Klamath Falls where he lives with a close friend. For him, the apartment and job are the realization of an important dream: to be independent and to have the stability of a home that is his own.

Truett joined Friends – Klamath Basin in kindergarten. Jose Hernandez was Truett’s Friend – a long-term, professional mentor – and Jose remembers his first visits with Truett at school, and how smart and shy he was.

Without Friends of the Children and Jose, I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be up to. It would be a different story.

_{^{– Truett Rose-Noneo}}

Truett had a lot going on at the time—his dad wasn’t a part of his life, and his mom was in and out of substance use treatment. Truett and his siblings lived with their Auntie Tanya, who became their legal guardian. Tanya’s house was always bustling with Truett, his siblings, and Tanya’s own children. There was plenty of love and support to go around, but a lot weighed on Truett, often causing him to withdraw emotionally.

Jose was there as a support, giving Truett the calm spaces he needed. He would help Truett express and understand his feelings. Truett shared with Jose that he didn’t feel he could really talk to anyone else. While he knew his family loved him, opening up was hard because he thought people would judge him.

“But Jose never judged me for anything, ever,” Truett expresses now. “I’ve never been afraid to say anything to him.”

Jose and Truett worked through difficult times, especially after Truett’s father passed away. Truett wasn’t attending school regularly and started using alcohol. He would work hard and make great strides quickly, but things could also turn incredibly difficult. During those hard times, Truett moved in and out of Tanya’s house, couch surfing with family and friends.

“Truett has gone through so much,” says Jose. “There were times where it made him want to just shut down. I’m so honored that we formed the relationship we have so that we could work through everything together. We have a profound connection.”

Jose worked to get Truett enrolled in the Klamath Works program, so Truett could get his GED and work at the same time. When Truett received his GED in 2023, Friends – Klamath Basin hosted a graduation party at their clubhouse. It was important to Truett to gather his family, friends, and everyone at the Friends – Klamath Basin program who helped him along the way.

One of Truett’s biggest goals was to work and save enough money to sign a lease for his own place—he never wanted to worry again about where he was going to live. When he called up his Auntie to let her know he was signing a lease with money he’d saved, he heard the emotion and pride in her voice.

“My work at the hatchery through the Klamath Tribes has me excited for so many new things too,” Truett says. “I can see I’m making a difference, contributing to something important—generationally. It’s a connection I feel strongly.”

Jose caught up with Truett just a few days ago. He relishes the sound of Truett’s laughter with friends out on the patio of his new apartment, knowing Truett is thriving.

“Without Friends of the Children and Jose, I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be up to. It would be a different story,” Truett shares. “I’ve gained a sense of independence, and I’m proud of that.”