|
Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at the age of two, Robert struggled with aggressive, impulsive behaviors all his life. His family tried to provide him with the structure and stimulation he needed, but watched helplessly as he spiraled out of control. When he arrived on our campus his behavior had become severe, causing him problems at home, in school, and in the community. Although he was resistant at first, Robert’s destructive behavior began to subside with the support and guidance of MercyFirst. During this time, Robert’s family remained active in his life, providing encouragement as he began to turn things around. Robert returned home with a renewed sense of direction and deepened bond with his family. He has completed his high school education and is planning on applying to MercyFirst’s Scholarship Program for help continuing his education.
Chris arrived at MercyFirst’s Campus with after a series of failed placements in foster homes
Chris arrived at MercyFirst’s Campus with after a series of failed placements in foster homes. Having lost both his parents to cancer, he had a history of gang involvement, excessive fighting in school, and behavioral problems. At MercyFirst he found the specialized support and attention he needed to gain confidence in himself and regain trust in those around him. He soon found himself excelling in sports and making connections with supportive adults through MercyFirst’s Mentoring program. Chris has become an advocate for youth in foster care and spent last summer working as an intern as part of MercyFirst’s Corporate Mentoring Program. He looks forward to one day becoming a social worker and helping to make a difference in some else’s life.
Lizzy, Melissa, Erin and Teddy never knew what it was like to have a home
Lizzy, Melissa, Erin and Teddy never knew what it was like to have a home until they moved in with Dina. Having been removed from their parent's home shortly after birth due to neglect issues, the children spent the first years of their lives shuffling between foster homes. The four of them were never able to live together as a family because the youngest, Teddy, had special needs and most foster parents were reluctant to take on such a high needs child along with his older siblings. A seasoned foster parent, Dina opened her home to all three children making them feel safe and comfortable, while providing Teddy with the special care he needed. The four children thrived together in Dina's home. Although Dina deeply loved the children, she believed they should be adopted by a younger couple, so three of them were transferred to a new home with a younger couple who had plans to adopt them. The children, however had become so attached to Dina that they began to act out in their new home in hopes of returning to Dina. Having been a foster parent for 15 years, Dina was so touched by these children that she agreed to adopt them, so they could stay together permanently. Their story was so moving that Channel 4 broadcast a Mother's Day story on this special family.
Barbara spent the first six weeks of her life in the hospital suffering the effects of a drug addiction
Barbara spent the first six weeks of her life in the hospital suffering the effects of a drug addiction she had been born with. She was released into foster care, but her severe withdrawal symptoms meant that she needed more intense supervision and care than most infants. After three and a half months she moved in to a home that provided her with the love, attention, and stimulation she needed. With the dedication and support of an attentive mother, Barbara thrived. The bond between Barbara and her foster family continued to grow; her adoption was finalized and her preschool evaluation indicated that she was no longer in need of special services for developmental delays. With the support of her “forever family” Barbara completed preschool and looks forward to entering kindergarten on the same level as her peers.
Emily entered MercyFirst’s Group Home Program in desperate need of structure and guidance
Emily entered MercyFirst’s Group Home Program in desperate need of structure and guidance. Having spent 12 years drifting in and out of foster homes she found herself struggling in school and loosing confidence. She began skipping classes and slipping into destructive behavior. MercyFirst provided her with the support she needed to excel in school and turn things around. She began to re-gain confidence, making new friends, playing basketball and expressing herself through poetry. Not only has Emily found personal success, she has been able to develop strong emotional connections with caring adults. As she enters her senior year in high school, she will be saying good-bye to her Group Home and moving in to a permanent home with an adoptive mother, whom she has come to know and love during her time at MercyFirst.
Samantha came to MercyFirst shortly after being placed in foster care due to neglect
Samantha came to MercyFirst shortly after being placed in foster care due to neglect. She was struggling with feelings of anger and abandonment, isolating and withdrawing herself from others. Samantha was never certain how to reach out for help, but at her Group Home she found the structure and support she needed to open up and work through her feelings. With the attention and guidance of her Group Home family she gained confidence and began to reach out, meeting academic goals and becoming active in the community. Samantha has become a leader in her Group Home, taking on new responsibilities, while maintaining two jobs and excelling at school. She looks forward to moving in with a foster family where she can continue to be part of the supportive family structure she felt at her Group Home.
At 15 years old Carmen found herself pregnant and alone
At 15 years old Carmen found herself pregnant and alone. She had lived in foster homes since she was eight and had no family of her own. Although she genuinely wanted to retain custody of her baby, she lacked the skills and resources necessary to provide for the child. Her future seemed uncertain when she moved in to one of MercyFirst’s Mother/Baby residences. Since that time, Carmen has dedicated herself to being a mother, developing a deep bond with her daughter and working closely with the staff to learn how to best care for herself and her baby. She has begun working at a local church and is continuing her education. Carmen has come a long way since she first moved in looks forward to a bright future with her daughter.
Jade’s home life had never been good. Her mother was extremely controlling and mentally and physically abusive
Jade’s home life had never been good. Her mother was extremely controlling and mentally and physically abusive. The abuse only got worse after her older brother was incarcerated leaving her to bear the brunt of her mother’s anger on her own. She felt she was in a hopeless situation. Isolated from others and mentally beaten down, she turned to suicide attempts and other self-destructive behaviors to try to ease her pain. When she became pregnant at the age of 17 her mother kicked her out of the house, leaving her to rely on the kindness of friends and strangers at shelters for a place to stay. Shortly after the birth of her baby boy, Torre, Jade moved into one of MercyFirst’s Mother/Baby residences. With the support of MercyFirst she was able to continue to go to school and become more involved in extra-curricular activities, while learning the important parenting skills and coping techniques necessary to stop the cycle of abuse she had grown up with. In June she attended her high school prom and graduated from high school with her friends. Her mother was in attendance. The safe environment at MercyFirst has given her the ability to begin to begin to mend her dysfunctional relationship with her mother. She looks forward to applying to college with the help of MercyFirst’s Scholarship Fund Program and building a stable home for her son.
Hannah turned to MercyFirst’s Family Support Program after being abandoned by her husband.
Hannah turned to MercyFirst’s Family Support Program after being abandoned by her husband. Left with few resources and overwhelmed at the thought of caring for herself and her children on her own, her depression had become severe. MercyFirst provided her with the support and resources she needed to regain control of her life and to properly care for her family. Never having been to college or even held a job, Hannah found part-time work and finished school, becoming a medical assistant. As she embarked on her new career, she proudly celebrated with her oldest child, who graduated from high school and enrolled in college. With the help of MercyFirst Hannah’s family looks forward to a happy, healthy future together.
Helena entered MercyFirst’s Family Support Program feeling scared and alone.
Helena entered MercyFirst’s Family Support Program feeling scared and alone. A young mother with two children, she felt that she had little control over her life as she and her family found themselves homeless, drifting through shelters. Although Helena had lived in the US since she was 5 years old, improper processing of her paperwork made her legal status questionable and she was afraid to ask for help. With the help of MercyFirst the family found safe, secure housing, as well as the medical attention they needed. MercyFirst helped her understand what services were available and how to correct her legal status. Helena has become increasingly confident now that she can secure employment and looks forward to enrolling in college with the help of MercyFirst’s Scholarship Fund Program and providing a stable, healthy home for her family.
|
