Lives of Significance
The Role of a Behavioral Specialist in the Sheridan House Residential Program
One reason why the Sheridan House Residential Program is so effective is because of role the behavioral specialist plays in the lives of the boys and girls. Working side by side with their house parents, the behavioral specialists are responsible for monitoring the children’s progress in school, providing feedback to parents concerning the weekend goals while at home, and ultimately mentoring the boys and girls to make wise choices to become the young men and women God has designed them to be. We are happy to introduce them to you.
Ephrain “Fish” Figueroa, the behavioral specialist in Boys House 1, has served at Sheridan House for almost five years. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Mr. Fig has a heart for working with boys. In fact, he often tells others that based on his background and past experiences he is just like a Sheridan House boy even though he was never in the program. Married for six years and father to four children, Mr. Fig enjoys the strong sense of family at Sheridan House. “I feel privileged to be a positive role model for the boys.” He is honored to see Christ works in the lives of the boys. “Once the boys are ready to graduate, it is a bittersweet time for them. They have reached the top of one mountain only to discover the rest of the journey that is before them. I am thrilled to help them prepare for this journey.”
Alissa Hafer is the behavioral specialist in Girls House 1, and has served here for almost two years. Actually, she was an intern for the Girls Summer Program for two summers before joining us full-time. A graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2006, she caught the vision for serving here when she attended the grand opening celebration of the new Sheridan House campus. “When we went to the grand opening, it was clear that the Lord was going to do something awesome in and through Sheridan House. It was then that I realized I wanted to be a part of it…It is a privilege to speak into the lives of young ladies at the most awkward and sometimes most challenging season of their lives.”
Adam Roberts has been at Sheridan House for nine years. Serving as behavioral specialist in Boys House 2, Adam graduated from Asbury College in 2001, married later that year, and celebrated the birth of his first child earlier this year. When asked why he chose to serve at Sheridan House, he stated, “Sheridan House is where you can spend quality time with each individual boy, cultivating relationships, and seeing progress. In fact, it is exciting to be a part of changing lives.” A highlight of his time with the boys is “seeing them respond to the fact that an adult actually wants to be with them.”
In high school, Julianna Guevara had the assignment to write about where she saw herself serving in the future. She wrote, “I see myself getting a degree, getting married, and ministering to middle school-aged girls.” It was also during this time that she first heard about Sheridan House by volunteering to be a part of a service project. A 2007 graduate of Florida International University, this south Florida native became the behavioral specialist in Girls House 2 soon after she got married over a year ago and is currently working toward a Master’s Degree at Trinity International University. One of her favorite aspects of serving at Sheridan House is the relationships she has formed with the girls and her house parents. “Serving at Sheridan House lines up with my passion and ministry.”
Finally, Matt Wells is the behavioral specialist in Boys House 3. Serving at Sheridan House for almost three years, Matt is excited about being a part of what he calls “front-line service.” He is a 2006 graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University and is also pursuing his Master’s Degree at Trinity International University. “The best part of serving at Sheridan House,” Matt reports, “is reaching into hurting families, providing hope, and sharing truth about Jesus Christ.” Relating with the boys during the camping trip in Colorado with his new bride has been the highlight for him this year.
Sheridan House is very fortunate to have these men and women serving Christ here. It is exciting to see how God blesses those whom He uses to bless others.
