Success Stories

"I never thought I would make it this far..."

Jason is an alum, who contacted us to share his story. He hopes it will motivate children at The House and let them know they can change their lives.

"I first came into HGS in 1995 when I was 12 years old. Almost right after my birthday. I was scared and didn't know what to do. Some of the workers were nice and some were mean. I hated life. I thought all the workers looked at me like I was bad person. I was misbehaving and caused a lot of trouble. I had a case worker who helped me get through my problems. I had child care workers there to help me too. A lot of people were nice to me and I thought that I would never leave that place. I changed my attitude and things went better for me. I realized that the people were there to help me and not hurt me and I started taking their advice on life.

"I left The House at the age of 18 and joined the Job Corps to become a cook. After I left Job Corp I went to my hometown to see if I could work things out with my mom. While that was happening I went back to high school at the age of 19. I went to high school and received my high school diploma. After I graduated I went to be a cook at many places. I took a major turn in Life when I decided that I wanted to join the United Sates Marine Corp. I still am in the Marine Corps at age 25, and everyday I look back from where I came from.

"I never thought I would make it this far. I took the advice from the staff there and kept my head straight because they know best. The only advice that I can give to those young individuals out there is, If you think life is bad, pick your head up and keep going. Nothing can hold you back to succeed. It's all in what you want to do with yourself and the effort you put into it. The workers there are there to help you, not harm you. I understand that sometimes it may feel like it, but it's not."

-Jason

Who Knows Where I Would Be...

"I was in HGS in 1999. While I was there I gave the staff a very hard time. I was very young, and I did not want to hear with they had to say, but as I got older I realized that they cared about me, and only wanted the best for me. HGS really helped me. I am very thankful to all of the people who worked with me and took the time to care.

I am 21 years old now. I went and got my GED. I meet a man who cares and loves me. And one day I hope soon we will get married. And that's all thanks to you guys. If I was not there I would have been running the streets and who knows where I would be. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Christy

An Alum Says Thank You

We recently received the following email from a young lady who was in our care. It demonstrates how The House changed her life.

"Hello, God it has been a long time. I was there at HGS 3 years ago. It’s crazy how long ago I was there. Many stories and memories took place there. Many times of anger and frustration, times of hurt and emotional stress.

I realize that through all of this I gained inner strength and trust to those who want to help. Now thanks to all of the guidance and support, I am getting adopted. I am officially discharged from Randolph Children’s Home and living with my wonderful mom. I want to say thank you to those have helped me out. I greatly appreciate this! I love you all!"

Love
Alicia

Family Means Everything

Steve is just one child whose life has been changed at The House. Steve, who is now 13 years old, has lived with a foster family since he was 5. He is unable to return home to his parents.

This summer, Steve attended a summer camp at Utica’s Parkway Recreation Center. For Steve, it will be a summer he will always remember. He made friends, learned new games, and went on exciting and educational trips.

Here’s what Steve had to say about his experience:

Mark's First Glimpse of Hope

Mark was 10 years old when he was referred to The House of the Good Shepherd last June. His mother was in and out of rehab and gone. He lived with his father. He was afraid to learn and afraid to play. Mark didn’t know the alphabet when he first walked into our Tilton School library. But he would seek out Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, open the big book, and just stare at the pages pretending to read. He didn’t want to admit to anyone that he couldn’t read.

Past trauma left Mark with a strong conviction that he would never be good at anything. He struggled to find meaning in the shapes that children half his age recognized. He was frustrated and ashamed. He would throw books and sometimes say that he was just too stupid to learn. It was heartbreaking to watch.

Despite setbacks, Mark would still come to the library everyday and look at the Harry Potter book.

After several months, our staff began to gain Mark’s trust. He didn’t need to let his shame and anger block his learning. Slowly he learned. Our school staff encouraged Mark and gave him books that would support his initial success. Child Care Workers read to Mark. In treatment sessions, our therapists worked to remove the emotional stumbling blocks that were convincing Mark that he would never learn.

The turning point came when Mark went to the library and could read words in the level books for the first time. His teacher said that discovery gave Mark “the first glimpse of hope” that she had seen. He stopped throwing books and started reading them.

Mark’s teacher recalled the day Mark read his first book. Some people might say that Mark learned to read. But anyone who knew him saw that he left his old world behind. Now Mark comes to the library and is eager to read. He wants the librarian to order his favorite book The Pigeon Finds the Hotdog. Imagine just six months ago he couldn’t decipher the alphabet.

Friends of the Children gave Mark the chance to change his life. Friends of the Children gifts provided the books, the student desk, the bed, and the recreational fields so Mark, and many children like him, can reclaim their lives. Without Friends of the Children gifts, children at The House will not have the resources they need.