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

Dominick, In His Own Words...

"I really love to play football and basketball and when I am angry I take out all my anger on the field. But I don't get that angry that often any more. Before I would yell, curse and physically hit things like punching a hole in a wall. Now, thanks to Ettie Lee's and the DBT skills that they have taught me, I am much calmer, have channeled my anger. The staff at Ettie Lee have seen my hard work and have now promoted me to lunch line helper at school."

Staff notes: Dominick came to Ettie Lee on July 2009. Some of his issues included: Poor anger management, easily agitated, vandalism, argumentative, problems with authority figures, threaten others, difficulty functioning in school, and poor peer relations. His birth mother has a 20 year drug history and his father is in prison. Since he has been at Ettie Lee he has specifically asked for help with his anger and school work and with staff's help he is learning how to curb his outburts and at school he has improved both in performance and behavior

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.

Why We Work Here... For John

"I got into the Santa Ana Home a couple of months ago. They tell
me that I have been a good leaders since I got here. I don't know about
that but I do know that I want to do what I can to go home as soon as
possible. So I listen to the staff, do lots of extra chores and keep my
bed and dresser clean. I tell the other guys to do the same thing. I miss
my mom so much that I am always trying to get her rides to come for therapy
sessions at the Santa Ana Home."

Notes from staff: He is earning a level of school credits above what is generally expected and he is earning B's and C's on these credits. He has been drug free as evidenced by clean drug tests and not involved in any other negative behaviors. There was one fight where another youth hit him and John did not retaliate against the other client. He has been open about his background and is working hard change his life. He has aspirations of going to barber school, working as a barber and furthering his education.

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