Success Stories

1) A 17 year old male was struggling to stay out of gangs and find the right path in life. Members of his family have been in the gang life for years. This young man was ordered to attend anger management classes for fighting on school grounds. During class he shared his frustrations with his circumstances and his desire to make positive life choices but felt family problems would continue to plague him. Some of the skills he learned in classes were how to make positive choices, goal setting and communication skills. He seemed to have a better outlook on his life; he participated in classes and even assisted with them. Encouraged to enroll in college, he felt his surroundings prevented him from being a positive role model for others. He decided to enroll in the military. In a note about three months later he expressed to the agency staff that though basic training was tough he was very glad about his decision to join. He hopes that the military would lead to a career and he will be able to someday return home to show others there is a way out of gangs.

2) While doing community outreach door to door I met an 11 year old boy who had not been allowed to go out of their family apartment to play after school for over 5 years. The mother expressed great concern because of violence in their neighborhood. The mother was informed that the agency programs are all supervised by an adult and could help him in school by assisting with studying and homework assistance, teaching values and ethics and allow participation in sports. A few days later he came to play basketball and was so excited to be able to play that he laughed during the whole game!

3) A mother and three young children fled their home to escape from a domestic violence situation. With nowhere to go they needed a new home, clothing, food and the mother needed a job. The agency provided them with rental, utility and transportation assistance, food, clothing and counseling services. In about 5 months the family was stabilized and self-sufficient. For several years now the family has remained stable. The mother even volunteers several hours to help distribute food to others.

4) A few years after physical difficulties began, a young father was diagnosed with a debilitating, terminal illness. He continued working as long as he could even though he became bound to a wheelchair and a Bipap breathing machine. His wife Sara quit her job to care for their children and her wonderful husband who became ventilator dependent. She assumed the full-time care giver duties with no complaints. Over time it was apparent that Sara needed some assistance and was introduced to a caregiver respite program that allows her a few hours each week to do activities like run errands or do activities with their children or just sleep if she wanted. She says the respite care giver is her angel and she feels confident about her visits which allow her to rejuvenate. Sara’s husband looks forward to the caregiver’s visits each week which allows Sara to run errands and to be confident of his care while she is away.

5) A young woman was struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction. She was a bad mother because all she could think about was her next high. Her son began to feed himself at 18 months old. Eventually his grandmother began raising him. On her 21st birthday she was notified that there was an opening at a transitional drug and alcohol program for her and her small child. She defiantly accepted the opening only to avoid prison and losing custody of her child. Once in the program she made staff and the other clients in the program agonize over her behavior, even her child was emotionally distraught by being around her. She was notified that she could be dismissed from the program for “noncompliance with program rules and total disregard for program.” Finally, she realized how much everyone was pained about the condition of her and her son’s life. She realized that they believed she could succeed in life and she began to think she could, too. Learning to care for her son 24/7 was a challenge as well as learning to be a nurturing, responsible and self-sufficient mother. Her decision changed her outlook on life, her child’s emotional issues faded and she began to make friends. She was not alone...she started to feel HAPPY. She became a dedicated participant in the program. Today she has been clean for over 3 years and is employed. She continues to work on her steps of recovery and helps others on their road to recovery too. Most of all she has a normal relationship with her son and is enjoying every minute of living, really living.

6) A family in their 20’s began attending our family relationship classes because they had differences in parenting styles with their blended family. They expressed doubts whether they should stay in their marriage. Once in the classes together they developed a plan of action to address their issues. Over time, they began reflecting a harmony in the family, their body language changed and they demonstrated more affection and happiness toward each other. Upon completion of the classes the husband elected to take a series of 13 classes for fathers. Upon completion of the course, he began to co-facilitate the classes as well as mentor other fathers. They feel the parenting and communication techniques learned not only saved their marriage but also helped them build more effective relationships with their children.