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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A Chance For Matthew

Recently, Matthew was referred to Ettie Lee for his drug use. Although he never knew his father, his mother has raised him and his two sisters with some help from her mother and her brother-Matt's uncle. Matt, age 17, has always felt sad and alone, he says, until he started using marijuana. When asked "what does the marijuana do for you?" he replies with "Happy" and a big grin. Using marijuana made him forget about his anger, his loneliness and his problems. When his uncle died a year ago in a car accident he started smoking a lot more marijuana. His mom too became mad and upset with everything in her life after the accident. Matt's mom began to direct her anger towards Matt.

At Ettie Lee, Matt said his goals were to build a better relationship with his mother and to learn how to communicate instead of leaving the house, which is what he often did to escape conflict. Matt is so glad that Ettie Lee wants to work with him and his mother. Since arriving at the Mt. Jurupa Group Home he has shown much improvement. He is enrolled in our on-site school, has seen our psychiatrist and is in our Intensive Day Program. He and his mother now feel like they have a strong chance of resolving their grief and angst and are excited to be moving forward.

Orlando Is Home

My son, Orlando, has made great improvements since he came to live with me 5 years ago. Although he still struggles with his ADHD, and initial adjustment to our home was challenging, everything has become less of a struggle because he now taking part in our seminary and youth activities. He has grown in every way – spiritually, emotionally and physically. He spends a lot of time with his cousins and is now earning A’s and B’s in school. He even cooks at home and plans to be a cook or a chef when he is done with school. Orlando's life has changed for the better and I am so proud of him.

Parent of Orlando, John Eccles Home '08

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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

Jonathan's Transition

Former resident Jonathan, 18, recently paid a visit to the John Eccles Home to visit the staff. He wanted to share with them his great news. He had a plan during is stay that he was going to join the military. Today he has joined the Air Force and is in the process of becoming a pilot. He was at the John Eccles Homes for two years. While at John Eccles, Jonathan was a good student, a football player and good influence on the other boys in the home.

Although Jonathan, a foster child, lived in several foster homes before he came to Ettie Lee, at 16 his aunt adopted him and they moved to Idaho. We are so happy to hear from Jonathan and are proud of his many accomplishments!

Steven's Story

Steven T. got himself involved with drugs and gangs in his early teens and at 17 he was referred to Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services. While at Ettie Lee, he was a model resident and student and was reunified with his immediate family after four months.

At Ettie Lee he not only kept up with his chores, but he became a part of the accelerated education program with the on ground Ettie Lee school, Opportunities for Learning. During his stay, he spend many hours in his room studying. Back with his parents, he continued his educational program, offered by Opportunities for Learning (OFL) in his neighborhood, and this May, he received his high school diploma.

He is working this summer and submitting paperwork (with the help of his OFL teacher) so that he can attend the nearby junior college this fall. He has good memories of Ettie Lee and all of the staff that was there supporting and encouraging him.

Jessie's Story... In His Own Words

"I was 12 when I first went to a camp. A couple of years later I went to a home, but I ran away because a kid kept trying to fight with me. The first time I came to Ettie Lee, I went to the Santa Ana Home. I was 16 years old. I don't remember why I ran away from there though. Late last year I came back to Ettie Lee (Diamond L and then the Robertson Home). I went back home with my mom in April because I finally figured out that if I remained sober, went to school, followed the rules and didn't get into any fights then I could lead a good life."

Staff Notes - Upon advice of the treatment team and his probation officer, the Juvenile Court released him to his mother's custody. A great solution for a young man who turned his life around after being in the system for five years of his life, accumulating a case file which is about a foot thick

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.

Why We Work Here... For Mario

Mario is a past resident who recently came in contact with Ettie Lee again...

My name is Mario Camarillo and I use to be a resident in about five of your
homes…one of them was the Azusa home. You could say that I was a
handful. I remember lots of times I had in the homes and as I think about
it, it was really fun. I didn’t realize it then but the homes really
helped me as a young man. I have made some detours but I am grateful for
the homes and I look at my life now and I can say that at 34 I am a great man
who is a worship leader at my church. I don’t think anyone can forget
about me…I’m the one who gave them all the grey hair. But what I really
want to say is Thank you and God Bless.

Why We Work Here... For Jorge*

Jorge* was 5 years old when he was placed in a foster home after experiencing trauma in his family. After one month in foster care, Ettie Lee was able to place him in kinship care (under the care of a relative instead of being in foster care).

The Ettie Lee therapist who cared for him reports that he hated being left alone. When left alone, he became very fearful and would search the home yelling for anyone to come to his call. Even after an adult responded, the family had a difficult time consoling him during these moments. Jorge also struggled to listen when asked to do chores or follow directions.

A little after a year of therapeutic service, Jorge is thriving in kinship care – both at home and in school. Jorge has not only overcome his fear of being left alone, he now describes what it felt like when he didn’t think anyone was there for him. He listens when asked to do his chores, follows directions and, has met his therapeutic goals. He also has received many awards, including student of the month.

*Name changed to protect youth's identity

In His Own Words...Eddie's* Story

"I was 17 years old and I didn't have enough credits to graduate high school on time when I came to the Ettie Lee group home in October. But all of the staff members really cared about me and encouraged me to get my high school diploma."

"They told me it would make a big difference in my life. I have been trying really hard because I want to graduate with the other seniors. So I am going to day school and night school to make sure that I will have all the credits I need in order to graduate on time."

"I am also taking college prep classes too! I have become an A student now and I sure an looking forward to going to my senior prom and wearing my cap and gown on graduation day."

*Name changed to protect youth's identity

Check the comments section of this post for updates on Eddie's journey

If you would like to help Eddie with his graduation expenses please click here to make a donation today! Eddie sure would appreciate it!

Why We Work Here... For James*

James*, 16, has been at the Fontana home for 4 years. Prior to this he had been placed in several foster homes after he was taken away from his mom who was unable to care for him.

Over the holidays, he was able to meet and visit his paternal grandmother in North Carolina. He had been waiting for this opportunity for years! He has never had contact with his father and while in North Carolina learned that he is in the military living in Alaska.

James hopes one day to be able to meet him. James is a good high school student and is involved in the ROTC program there. After high school he plans on joining the military.

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

Why We Work Here... For Miguel*

Miguel* was not happy to be placed in a group home (Diamond L Ranch) and was very defiant and would proclaim his gang status loudly. After a while, he slowly began to relax into Ettie Lee’s rules and came to understand that even he had to follow them. He still, however, was volatile and would fly into rage-full tantrums at the slightest provocation.

As his court date approached Miguel was anxious and he checked a re-checked with his probation officer to see if he was recommending his release and every time his probation officer assured him that he was. So, on the day Miguel went to court he had said all of his goodbyes to staff and peers and he was carrying his suitcase full of the belongings he had accumulated in six months. By the time his court date came around he had earned a phenomenal 40 high school credits, quit smoking marijuana, clean drug test, and he had bonded with one of the child care staff -- something Miguel tells us is unheard of for him.

The staff found it bitter sweet to see him go but we all cheered him on and wished him nothing but the best. So, imagine our surprise when Miguel came back that afternoon. The judge had decided, for reasons only he knows, that he was not impressed (his words) with Miguel’s program and he told him he was going to have to stay 6 more months, with a 3 month check in. Miguel was devastated.

Miguel considered AWOL’ing, but instead used the coping skills he learned at Ettie Lee and came to the conclusion that if he did, his mom, who has serious health issues, would be badly hurt, and when he got caught he quite possibly would be sent to the Californian Youth Authority for many more months. He used additional coping skills that allowed him to tolerate the disappointment and to accept his circumstances.

Miguel is back for at least 3 months and he has an excellent attitude. For now he is focusing on his school work and getting all of the high school credits he can so when he is released he will be on track to graduate high school.

This week Miguel applied to be a graduate level resident at Diamond L Ranch which is a position of leadership and role modeling at the home. Six months ago Miguel would have ridiculed and scorned this idea. Although not chosen to take on this role at this time, Miguel cheerfully accepted to take on a few milestones before he is ready to take on this level of responsibility. But more importantly, Miguel was able to manage the anger that has always come with life’s disappointments.

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