By age 11, Heather had already been removed from two different military schools where she had been placed to help address her anger and defiance issues.
Her mother wasn't sure where to turn next. That's when a friend recommended Sheridan House.
Once in the residential program, it didn't take long to discover why Heather was brought to Sheridan House. In her first few days at school, she was getting into such intense fights boys that the teachers had to physically separate them.
It became evident that Heather needed to view school as a privilege that needed to be earned. This resulted in Heather staying home from school to work.
Her good behavior at home for the day could earn her the opportunity to go back to school the next day, but it was all in her hands.
The next morning as her house parents instructed Heather in the job she was to perform, she proceeded to sit down on the kitchen floor and ignore them. Every few minutes they would walk by and calmly remind her of the task that she needed to complete.
One hour turned into two, which turned into three, which yes, turned into four.
For four hours Heather sat on the kitchen floor in one of the most defiant standoffs - without a sound and hardly any movement.
With love and consistency, the house parents reminded Heather that she would still need to complete the task regardless of how long she waited to start. At the four-hour mark Heather stood up, walked outside, and started the job she had been assigned.
Heather didn't wake up the next morning a perfect child by any means. There were many days that she stayed home from school, moments that she refused to follow instructions, and times that she needed to learn the same lessons again and again.
However, over the course of the next few months Heather's defiant behaviors at home, school, and Sheridan House became less severe and less frequent.
As Heather got her anger and defiance under control, we witnessed her grow closer to her mom, her grades dramatically improve, and her ability to discuss her faith in Christ become very natural and genuine. She actually improved to the point that she became one of the most eager girls in the house to give new residents advice on what not to do. As Heather's weekend behavior slowly improved her mom would drop her off on Sunday night and say, “Praise Jesus!! We had a wonderful weekend.”
Heather has truly made a huge turn around in her life. Consistency, consequences, rewards, and tough love all wrapped up in the message of Christ was the ministry that Heather needed in her life.
Joel, like most of our boys, came to Sheridan House carrying a lot of baggage.
His family history was filled with disorders like a sibling suffering from agoraphobia, afraid to come out of his bedroom; and a parent who is a hypochondriac, forbidding Joel to do things that most children do for fear that he would be injured.
In the two years before he began the residential program, he was in two public schools, a private school, and was home schooled for a time.
Each placement had the same results; Joel would slowly shut down and do nothing. His last report card showed a semester grade point average of 1.94.
Joel was literally full of fear. He was homesick and, night after night, cried himself to sleep. He would hardly talk to anyone and he never made eye contact; instead he would intently stare at the ground. When Joel did not want to do something, he would throw a tantrum and flop himself on the ground like a little child.
Things went slowly for Joel. With every new experience he would try to shut down claiming that he did not know how to do it or that it was hurting him physically.
Each residential staff member’s response was always consistent: gently showing him how to do the task, encouraging him to try, and heaping praise on him when he attempted new experiences.
Gradually things began to change. Joel began to try new things and, in turn, he began to experience success - maybe for the first time in his life. With each new success came a willingness to try some more. His whole demeanor began to change. He smiled. He started to look people in the eye. He began to communicate. He made friends. He developed and shared a witty sense of humor and a genuine compassion for others. Then, he received Christ as his Savior. It was so exciting to see him memorize and quote Scripture!
In turn, Joel gladly took on the role of a house leader and as a team captain.
Socially, he is a different person. He is no longer fearful of everything and he has the love of God in his heart. Academically, he is stepping up to the plate as well. He earned a 3.94 grade point average for the last two marking periods.
On June 4, 2009, Joel proudly became a Sheridan House Residential Program Graduate.
He is aware that he still has a long journey ahead of him, but he knows he is definitely heading in the right direction.
This is the story number 3, read it and like it....