STORIES OF HOPE

Recently Susie, now 21 years old, contacted Promising Futures of Central Indiana. Susie has been thinking about her life, where she came from, and where she is now.  Susie, 14 at the time, came to us through the Safe Place & Host Homes program   She was pregnant and had nowhere to stay due to her situation.  Susie was homeless.  Promising Futures of Central Indiana helped Susie and her baby for several years, providing a place to stay, support and most of all surrounding her with people that cared.  Susie wanted to thank us for helping her in her greatest time of need.  Susie is now providing for her family and seeking options in helping others, she wants to make a difference in others lives just like Promising Futures of Central Indiana did in her life.  Promising Futures of Central Indiana now has a program to help girls just like Susie, Promising Futures. 

Beth is one such girl.   Beth has been in the Department of Children Services custody since she was a child.  Beth was asked to leave her foster home with her three-month-old child.  She had nowhere to go.   Beth has a limited support system and no one to help teach her appropriate ways of raising a small child.

Beth is now learning how to care for her infant by participating in Promising Futures programming.  She now has insurance for herself and her child and is looking for employment.  Beth is also attending GED classes, in counseling, Independent Living Skills, has successfully completed the human relationship series of classes, and wants to volunteer in the community.

STORIES OF HOPE

Cory Andrews is a 15 year old high school freshman who had consistently been in conflict with other students at school and was currently on probation.  He was referred by his probation officer to the Anger Management Group at Promising Futures of Central Indiana.  When Cory started the group it was obvious he did not want to be there.  He sat at the corner of the table and did not interact with other participants, speaking only when directly asked a question.

The group meets for one hour once a week and participants attend for eight weeks.  Group members participate in discussions, complete worksheets and do experiential activities.  Topic areas covered include identifying anger, normalizing anger, consequences of anger, identifying anger triggers, assertive, aggressive and passive thoughts and actions, problem solving, ways to safely release/express anger and dealing with others’ anger.

Cory gradually became an active participant in the group, commenting several times “I never thought of it that way.”  His responses became very appropriate and as he gained insight into his own behavior he was able to model for others in the group.  Cory attended all eight sessions of the group, for a perfect attendance record.

At Cory’s last session the group was reviewing “I” statements.  Cory shared an example of his use of the technique.  He stated he had been called to the principal’s office because of an incident with another student.  When the principal asked Cory about it Cory had used an “I” statement describing his feelings about what the other student had done and his reasons for it.  Cory stated the principal had looked at him and asked “Is this the same Cory Andrews?”  Cory explained the principal explored the situation with the other student and then suggested Cory go on to lunch, saying he liked this Cory a lot better than the one he usually saw.  Cory stated in the past he often received detentions for his behavior.