Hollywood, Calif., Oct. 26, 2009 - “Jack” (not his real name) is now on the path of success thanks to programs at Hollygrove.  His story is a testament to the effective programs and caring league of staff and volunteers in the EMQ FamiliesFirst network that helped him rebuild his life and have a future to which he could look forward.  Hollygrove is part of the EMQ FamiliesFirst network of children’s services providers.

At 12, Jack was at risk of becoming involved in drugs and gangs.  He attended a middle school that had several active gangs where some of his friends were already involved, and it was only a matter of time before he was recruited into their life of crime and drugs.   He was already being “groomed” to join and had been involved in “tagging” incidents – spray-painting gang graffiti.  The pressure began to take its toll.  Jack was becoming increasingly aggressive at home and school.  Then, two of his friends were killed at parties.  Understandably, he lacked self-confidence, was suffering from depression and low self-esteem, and had been cutting himself – a form of self-mutilation that often becomes addictive.   His parents sought help, and Jack had been seeing a private therapist for about a year, without much success. They were beginning to consider what they thought was their only other option – sending him away where he could receive more intensive care.

About this time, Jack’s therapist asked his parents if they had heard of Hollygrove, and called Mary Brougher, associate director of Community Services, to see if they could help.  Mary asked the therapist to give them six months with Jack to see if they could make some progress before more drastic measures were taken.

At Hollygrove’s Outpatient Services program, Jack received intensive therapy – 4 ½ hours a day, five days a week - that allowed him to stay at home with his family while getting help.  He participated in several kinds of therapies a day including individual, group, art, recreation and interaction with animals.  His artistic talents, previously only expressed through graffiti, were channeled into two major art projects at Hollygrove, including a mural project.  “We found a poet, we found an artist,” said Brougher.  “And, his parents really got involved and made it a priority to get him where he needed to be.”

Hollygrove’s Outpatient Services program is strength-based, focusing on social skills.  Many kids start out having difficulty in groups or classes, so those skills are worked on in the beginning.  Strong behavioral limits are set and even small achievements are celebrated.

However, a spark was really lit when Jack was assigned to after-school cooking classes at Hollygrove.  Volunteer Margie Nielsen had started the cooking classes in the facility’s commercial kitchen having raised the necessary funds on her own.  The classes stress healthful cooking and eating, and all participants had to follow two important rules:  respect the others in the class and at least try everything you make.

As the classes progressed, Jack became focused because he had found something he liked and could do well, and he felt like a leader.  The instructor began to rely on his food prepping skills, and even more on his leadership abilities working with the other kids.  One night at home, Jack offered to make dinner for the family and recreated a pizza recipe he had learned.  That one dinner turned into a regular Sunday night event for which Jack’s entire family would gather.  Around the dinner table, the family started communicating and became a closer unit.

Within just four months, Jack’s behavior began to turn around, and he continues to do well.  His parents are pleased with his progress, and importantly, so is Jack.  He has developed a sense of accomplishment that he can carry with him to other aspects of his life.  Now instead of the nightmare of depression and aggression and a future tied to gang life, he has decided he wants to become a counselor – like those who have helped him.

About EMQ FamiliesFirst
EMQ FamiliesFirst does whatever it takes to help children in crisis and their families.  The agency is recognized for innovative mental health treatment, foster care and social services that help families recover from trauma, abuse and addiction, and rebuild their lives.  The agency fights for sustainable change and advocates for improvements in the local, state and federal systems that serve children in need.  For more information, please visit http://www.emqff.org

Editorial Contacts:
Sandy Smith for EMQ
(310) 560-8372   sandy@aldrichpr.com