Graduate plans counseling career
He's been the go-to guy for advice
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Kathy and Mike Broder say their youngest child has always taken an interest in helping those who need it.

While growing up, Joey, 17, would take time to help children and the elderly and infirm, and as a teenager wasn't interested in the typical pursuits, such as running for student government, they said.

The Broders said Joey, perhaps the most outgoing and energetic of their five children, wants his efforts to count where they're needed the most. He wants a career as a mental health or drug abuse counselor.

"He's always had this helping heart," Kathy said.

Joey found his niche in life in the peer resource class at Frontier High School. He'd always been the go-to guy among his friends for advice on relationships and steering clear of drugs, he said. But in the class he learned leadership skills and developed talents for listening and resolving conflict.

"He's really an expert at it," said teacher Ruth Fenske.

Every week, Frontier students walk across the street to mentor and build social connections with developmentally disabled clients at Arc Ventura County, a private nonprofit organization that provides educational, vocational and residential services.

Joey said he was apprehensive at first, unsure what having a disability really meant. But after talking and interacting with the clients, he said he became more comfortable.

"They understand a lot more than we think they do," Joey said. "Don't judge them before you get to know them."

Joey's sincerity has caught the attention of others.

"He's very caring with the clients," said Arc supervisor Jim Thompson. "All the clients love him."

Arc offered Joey a job in the Skyway Day program as a student aide, a paid position created especially for him. And Thompson said they'll offer him an instructor job when he turns 18.

Joey said watching a client's face light up seems to make all of his own problems disappear.

"It puts an emotion on your heart that you know no one can break . . . this is a job that I extremely love," he said.

Joey will march in today's high school graduation ceremony although he completed all of the requirements back in January, a testament to his determination to achieve his goals, his mother said.

After high school, he plans to work toward a counseling certificate at Oxnard College while continuing to work at Arc.

"I want to get as much knowledge as I can to be the best counselor that I can be," he said.