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

Tyler's Struggle... And Recovery

Tyler, age 17, never knew his father and watched his mother take her last breath about five years ago. As a result, Tyler turned to drugs and became an addict, specifically a meth addict - he was actually injecting meth into his veins. He stole from his family, his friends and strangers to support his habit. It was then that Tyler was referred to Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services. After arriving at Ettie Lee's Mt. Jurupa Home, he was unsure of himself. He could not look to the future and didn't know if he would ever be welcomed back into his family...

Sober since April, Tyler has gained weight and now shoes his bright smile. His family just recently came to visit him and was amazed how well Tyler has changed for the better. For the first time in a long while, Tyler is thriving and doing exactly what he should be doing - getting grief counseling, going to school and staying out of trouble. Tyler is now looking forward to reunifying with his aunt and grandmother. Tyler has even earned the privilege of the coveted Honor Room at Mt. Jurupa due to his progress and attitude.

to help out Tyler and children like Tyler, click here to donate now

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

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.