Jesse was adopted from the Republic of Georgia by a family from Tennessee when he was 10 years old. When he began exhibiting signs of depression and post traumatic stress disorder a few years later, they allowed the state of Tennessee to assume custody. Jesse came to AIM five years ago, and for the first time has a true sense of family and belonging. He lives independently and participates in every activity  from employment to art, from housing to advocacy. In 2005, he was awarded the Tocqueville Courage Award by the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. A lifelong dream was fulfilled in 2008, when he became a United States citizen!