So it was for Benjamin, Saliba and Johnny, who we met this week.
The Nyköping boys who were out in deep water ten years ago, all three were convicted of crimes.
The common denominator was that they had no real plan for their future.
But then they met Mohammed Mouaid.
He was someone the boys looked up to - he was older, drove a nice car and had a good job.
Mohammed started a boy group and eventually they put on a play with a focus on integration.
There, the boys finally got to be seen for something good, it gave them hope.
The thought of applause from the decision-makers in the audience gives them goosebumps even today.
The leisure centers do not attract
When I was in Brandkärr during the autumn and talked to the young people of today, the message was clear - there are no role models like Mohammed Mouaid.
There is no place for young people to hang out, there are no adults outside the family to look out for.
The two existing leisure centers in the area do not attract.
And they are not alone in thinking so.
Leisure leader Markus Malkén, who we have told about this week, agrees.
The leisure centers lack a plan, trained staff and role models.
Nyköping has chosen to rent out the leisure activities to organizations which, for a rather meager amount of money from the municipality, will bear a great deal of responsibility on their shoulders.
Who takes responsibility?
Because that's exactly what it is.
A big responsibility.
A good leisure center, a role model that gives hope can be crucial for a young person's future.
Is it a responsibility that the municipality should take?
At least that is what Markus Malkén thinks.
The municipality is working to strengthen the leisure activities in Nyköping, they have talked about.
There are plans for an activity center on Västra School's premises.
But the plans are still just plans.
Today, Benjamin, Johnny and Saliba work to help others, both in social services and at school.
They live lives that they are proud of.
Maybe they had gone where they are today without Mohammed's boy group or it was absolutely crucial.
How many lives can be changed with the right role models?
Only the future can tell.