Anthony Checks In

Anthony F. checked in by phone with the John Eccles home staff today. He was at the Eccles home in 2008 and was also placed in an Ettie Lee Foster home in 2010. He told the staff that he completed high school, received a scholarship to Cerritos College and would like to enter the Air Force and complete college. This way he can become a lawyer for kids that are in situations like he was. He also thanked the staff for taking such good care of him and making him feel safe.

Anthony F. John Eccles Home, 2008, Ettie Lee Foster Home, 2010

Arnold S., Robertson Memorial Home 2010

The road was tough but Arnold made it. Arnold was 14 and already had several run ins with the law. He was behind in school, thought that gang life was what he was born to live and believed the world had nothing good to offer him.

Shortly after arriving at Ettie Lee, with the support and understanding of the staff, Arnold began to see things in a new light. He enrolled in day and evening classes so that he could catch up on his credits during the regular school session. He continued his education in summer school, enrolling in both day and night classes again. Still behind on credits, he did not give up hope that he would graduate with all of his fellow students. During all of this he was also working on breaking his attachment to gangs and gang life.

He wanted to choose a better path and with the support of Ettie Lee staff, Arnold graduated high school and returned home with a new outlook on life. He recently informed us he is planning to continue his education.

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Emmanuel Graduates!

In May of 2009, Emmanuel was referred to Ettie Lee's Santa Ana home at age 17. He had very few high school credits at this time. He was so far behind that he had almost given up on the belief that he could graduate at all. Encouraged by the support he received from the on grounds school staff, Emmanuel started to believe in himself.

One of Ettie Lee's staff members described it as Emmanuel being able to allow the sun to shine through his clouds of doubt. Emmanuel not only started earning credits, he was earning them at an accelerated rate. It was at this time that he was transferred to Ettie Lee's North Hollywood Home (typically for older boys who are in transition to adulthood) where he would be able to recieve much needed independent living skills training.

Really motivated, and now enrolled in the local school from 7:45 AM to 6:00 PM, he was able to catch up to the other seniors and in his first semester earned straight A's! Emmanuel graduated North Hollywood High School in June 2010. Thirty days later Emmanuel was accepted into a transitional housing program where he will continue to work and grow.

to help out boys like Emmanuel and our after-care program please donate today