Why We Work At Ettie Lee... For Erik*

Erik* came into Ettie Lee’s Mt. Jurupa Home after completing a six month treatment program at Optimist Boys home. After graduating successfully from Optimist, Erik enrolled in The School of the Arts in Pomona. He recalled doing well for about a month but then going into “freefall.” Erik describes the freefall as a combination of feeling alienated from his classmates, feeling overwhelmed by numerous authorities so he resorted to self-soothing behavior through marijuana use. After a positive drug test, Erik was referred to Ettie Lee. Erik was released on June 2, 2009 after completing approximately five drug-free months of treatment at Ettie Lee’s home. Ettie Lee’s After-Care program continued with Erik after completing our program. A therapist regularly met and talked with Erik after he went home. After about three weeks, however, he no longer came to the meetings and stopped returning phone calls. The After-Care team continually tried to contact him, but knowing Erik, the team suspected that such a sudden break of communication meant a relapse for Erik.


Shortly after the team closed out the treatment plan at 30 days, as per DMH (Department of Mental Health) guidelines, Erik’s mother called and, as suspected, Erik had relapsed and was no longer responding to his mother’s house rules. After the therapist had several family meetings without Erik, Erik finally called. He said he saw all of the phone messages from the therapist that his mother had placed on refrigerator and that each time he saw those messages, he “felt a shot to his heart.” Erik is now back in an independent study school, still struggling with his sobriety, but keeps regular contact with Ettie Lee’s therapist including twice weekly meetings.


Erik recently expressed interest in re-enrolling to The School of Arts. Prior to a meeting with the Dean of the school, Erik has agreed to join a teen NA 12-step meeting, work on taking more responsibility for his expulsion from the school and reflect more the underlying reasons for his marijuana use and the destructive social connections he derived from it. These actions will no doubt, demonstrate Erik’s determination to stay sober when he meets with the Dean again.

* to protect the child's confidentiality we are not using the child's name

Why We Work At Ettie Lee... For Robert*

Robert* came into placement at Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services in December of 2008, through LA County Probation, for stealing, property damage, and for truancy (to name a few). With his poor reading skills and his numerous truancies, Robert's grades suffered and his depression came out as anger and defiance. At the time of his placement, Robert was also having trouble with his family relationships, choosing negative peers and high-risk behaviors. Robert also had trouble with following rules. To make matters worse, Robert also suffered from a severe acne problem which was causing him to fight with his peers because of the teasing that he received. Needless to say, he was having a difficulty making friends.

As he became adjusted to living away from his family in one of our Ettie Lee homes, Robert slowly became motivated to improve his behavior and responded well to all staff members. He was given a variety of services, individual and family counseling, skills to manage his emotions, tutoring and medical help for his skin. Each month we saw progress and so did he. He showed improvement in his behaviors and adjusted very well with the other boys.

Robert's reunification with his family took place in June 2009. He lives with his mother and his two siblings and also spends time with his father and step-mother. Since he has been back at home, Ettie Lee's After-Care Program staff have continued to assist him. Robert needed to complete the community service hours he started doing while at our Ettie Lee home. Working with the After-Care team, he chose a graffiti removal service. In less than two weeks he completed nearly 60 hours of community service. Additionally, the After-Care team has also helped Robert, who was reluctant at first, to get involved in a summer reading activity program sponsored by his local library. With encouragement he has found books that are tools for a better future.

When he is home, Robert tends to his chores without needing adult direction. From laundry to preparing a meal, Robert is no longer having difficulty with taking on responsibility. During the summer he joined a local youth activity center which he attends five days per week, and Robert is getting ready to start school. He would like to do well in school and is motivated to become a better reader. Robert will sign up for a tutoring program which focuses on reading proficiency.

* to protect the child's confidentiality we are not using the child's name

Why We Work At Ettie Lee... For Brian*...

Brian* was 16 ½ when his family begged the judge to place their child in a treatment facility where his problem behaviors could be addressed on a daily basis. He arrived at our Mount Jurupa group home and was assessed as needing mental health and drug and alcohol services right away. Additionally he needed to make up school credits. He had a choice. Ettie Lee staff would be there to support him if he was willing to do the hard work it would take for him to change his life.

During his time with Ettie Lee Brian he took part in more than 72 drug and alcohol sessions and had more than 35 individual and family therapy sessions. He attended school daily and stayed drug free. While in placement, Brian’s best friend died from a gunshot wound. Brian remarked that, “That could have been me because we were always hanging out together.” Prior to leaving
Ettie Lee, Brian’s family moved to a safer neighborhood. There, Brian is reported to be happy, drug free, in school and getting acclimated in his new neighborhood.

*not his real name

Why We Work At Ettie Lee...For Manny...

The therapist at our Waterflow Home wrote me about Manny (not his real name) a couple of days ago. It seems that Manny came to Ettie Lee with such a good attitude that he became a very good role model for the other boys. He would step in to correct others’ behavior and the other young men really looked up to him. The other young men even went to him for advice. Manny passed all his druh screenings and even earned the honor room at the home. At school he completed 100 hours of community service in less than a month and earned many school credits toward his graduation. Manny was with Ettie Lee for five months, from August 5 to January 28. Prior to leaving Ettie Lee Manny had a plan and wanted to change. He knew he had choices – no more gang involvment, move out of the area and go college. Our staff said he will take DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) with him and keep it on the inside. Manny turned 18 the day before he left Ettie Lee. The therapist Laurie says we can call Manny….We will. And we’ll keep you up to date on his status.

Graduation Day for Raymond

Ettie Lee staff and residents will be on hand to support our first student to graduate from the charter school operated by Opportunities for Learning and Ettie Lee on June 8, 2009.