Troubled parent thanks shelter staff
for 'watching over' her young son

The following is the edited text of a voice mail message from a client's parent to
Kids I.N.N. clinician Robyn Bilotta. An important facet of Boys & Girls Village's
work with at-risk children is to communicate with the parents and guardians.
Parents can have personal problems that affect the health and safety of their
children. In turn, these children can be removed from their biological homes into
protective custody. By working closely with social workers, the courts, state
officials and troubled parents, Boys & Girls Village ensures that the needs of the
child are best met.

"Hi Robyn. This is Pam. Just calling you to thank you for everything that staff has done
for my son and I really appreciate the reference yesterday. I know I played a big part in
[our problems].

"I smoked weed. I should not have. It hurt me so bad. But I mean, I really appreciate
everything you've done for my son. I'm not asking anybody to feel sorry for me or
nothing like that. I'm just calling to say that I appreciate everything you guys have done
for Johnny in the past.

"I know we had some confusion at first. But I really meant no harm to anybody. You
know, he's my son and I was just so hurt that this happened to me. I couldn't believe it.
But I shouldn't have smoked weed. But I did, and now I'm paying for it. But I've learned
my lesson from it. I know that my kids are more important than me smoking. I can't
jeopardize that with them. I'm just so sorry that all of this happened. But there is nothing
that I can change about the past. I can change for the future though. I really appreciate
everything you guys have done for Johnny and myself.

"I just wanted to say thank you, and have a nice day."


Former Day School student returns
as summer staff aide to 'give back'

Ryan Anderson is a June 2002 graduate of the Boys & Girls Village Day School
program. After his graduation, Ryan and three other Day School students participated in a
summer vocational work-study program designed to support graduating students as they
transition to the next level of education.

In the Fall of 2002, Ryan's "next level" began while attending classes at a local high
school on the Connecticut shoreline.

Fast-forward one school year later after Ryan's successful freshman year at high school
had ended in June 2003. Ryan called Boys & Girls Village and asked to come back to the
agency to participate in a service education program during the summer.

Ryan returned to the agency for an interview. He spoke of his 2002-2003 school year.
During the year, Ryan had been active in working with the Special Olympics, had taken a
photography course in school (something he had basic knowledge of from his elective
courses here at the Day School). Ryan had taken his school studies seriously and
maintained good classroom behavior.

During the interview, Ryan was asked why he wanted to come back and work at Boys &
Girls Village. He noted that his family received help when they needed it, therefore he
wanted to "give something back" to other students here at the Day School.

We hired Ryan for the summer of 2003. He assisted in the Adventure Village summer
program.

Ryan was a hit with the kids right away. Ryan's calm and responsible manner engaged
students into wanting to follow his lead. His clear understanding of how difficult life can
be for children failing in their educational journey made it easy for them to listen to his
experienced advice.

As the summer of 2003 was winding down, Laura Saars, the summer staff person running
the group that Ryan worked with, suggested that Ryan should consider returning after
college to join our Boys & Girls Village Day School staff as a full-time employee.

While it's still very early in Ryan's educational career for such important decisions,
Ryan's skills and contributions to the summer program were highly evident and valued.

Ryan gave back to the program that helped him. He also gave back to his teachers and
aides by showing them their work had an impact in his life. We wish Ryan well as he
continues to touch the lives of others in the spirit of his time here at the Boys & Girls
Village Day School.


Mom tells story of Ryan's success

A special post-graduate award was presented in June 2004 to Ryan Anderson, a former
Boys & Girls Village Day School student who became a sophomore at Branford High
School in the Fall of 2004. Ryan's adoptive mother, Ann Anderson, told the BGV
graduation assembly in June 2004 that "Ryan arrived at the Boys & Girls Village Day
School four years ago not knowing who he was or where he was going, failing both
emotionally and scholastically in four different schools."

"He had no hopes and no dreams," she said.

"He was scared and felt hopeless. But within days of arriving at Boys & Girls Village, he
was beginning to feel safe and the seeds of self-esteem and self-discipline were beginning
to grow," Anderson said. "Four years later, I can't say enough about what Boys & Girls
Village has meant to Ryan and I. For the first time, Ryan not only understood what he
was learning, but he was succeeding."

For a time, Ryan was not only a student at the school, but also a resident in the Boys &
Girls Village Safe Haven safe home. "While there "his health needs were met, new
clothes were purchased and he was taught to take care of himself." Ryan soon returned
home and was legally adopted last February, Mrs. Anderson noted.

Just finishing his first year at Branford High School, his mother reports that Ryan does
well in school and belongs to several clubs and organizations, one mentoring elementary
school children. He also will be serving his third year as a peer counselor at the
Adventure Village summer program.

She told graduates and friends, "I stand here today as a testament of the hard done at this
great facility. It would have been impossible without the belief and the encouragement of
the staff. I say to graduates, take with you the gift of knowledge, and the feeling of self.
Practice the self-discipline that Boys & Girls Village has taught you - pass it on. By
giving, you will receive and grow stronger."

 
Client Success Stories
Read here:

Troubled parent thanks shelter staff for 'watching over' her young son

Former Day School student returns as summer staff aide to 'give back'

Mom tells story of Ryan's success