Ben's Story

"I really regret what I did and wish I could turn back time and make it all go away, but I can't. I know that the people that I was hanging with were into drugs. I got into drugs too. It became a habit and to support the habit I stole from my parents. My mom called the police and I was arrested. At Ettie Lee, I got sober and now I am enrolled in school because one day I want to go to college. My mom and I want to thank you for working with me so that I could get on track and find my purpose."

Staff Notes: Ben is an active participant in a day program in Pasadena. On more than one occasion he has been invited to be a guest speaker to the youth who are struggling with drug habits. In fact, he shared that he has been on TV (on a local Pasadena channel) and that he will be in the local newspaper this month.

Why We Work Here... For Juan

My Name is Juan R. and I am from Pacoima, CA. I came to Ettie Lee from another boys home. Over there all I did was fight and smoke weed all day long. I didn't care about nothing except fighting and getting high as much as I could. I went to the halls (juvenile hall) and I missed my family because they lived so far away and they wouldn't come to visit me because I was being so bad. Some man came and saw me in the halls and said I was going to be moved to a place called John Eccles (one of Ettie Lee's homes). When I got there I met all the staff - Moana, Omar, Glenn, Anthony, Malia, Ruth, Lea, Yvonne and Shannon. At John Eccles, I learned how to control my anger and figured out why I was taking drugs. I was there for nine months and remained drug free while I was there. I stayed alcohol-free too. I'm a changed man and miss my mom and sister. I thank John Eccles for what they have shown me and I really liked being here because they treated me as a family member. Now I'm at home and using the skills they taught me and I am trying to best to remain drug free. Thank you Ettie Lee.