Joanna B.

Class of December 2010

Joanna B. arrived at The Family Foundation School on March 19, 2009. She came to The Family Foundation School with many problems, including drinking heavily, being defiant towards her parents, being involved with unhealthy relationships, and had tremendous anger problems.

When Joanna arrived at The Family Foundation School, she was placed in Family Six,  later called Wilson House. She struggled with flirting, being honest, and angry throughout her stay at The Family Foundation School. With a lot of hard work and a strong spiritual foundation, Joanna changed the direction of her life.

Some of Joanna’s biggest influences were Christine Speicher, Jill  McC., and Fr. Stephen.

Since she has left, Joanna has had some family problems and trouble attending AA meetings, “Life is getting better, though,” said Joanna. She attends Marymount University, and for fun, she hangs out with friends and goes shopping. To the newcomer, Joanna says, “Find someone you trust and tell them everything.”

Parker S.

Class of December 2010

Parker S. came back to The Family Foundation School to say hello to his old friends and to watch the school play on Family Day. He was accompanied by alumni from his graduating class.

Parker arrived at The Family Foundation School on January 25, 2009, and was placed in Family 2, which is now Lake House. Dr. Sidney Parham and Audra Towsley were his family leaders. His parents sent him to The Family Foundation School for excessive drug abuse, vandalism, and fighting. He had no control over his emotions and reacted violently to almost everything that upset him. Drugs served as an escape for him and gave him a sense of false happiness. When he arrived at The Family Foundation School, he started to realize that neither drugs nor fighting filled the void he had been trying to fill.

During his stay at The Family Foundation School, Parker struggled with lust. He came to the conclusion that he used flirting with girls to make himself feel better. He was also cruel and hurt almost everyone around him. “I had so much hurt and hate inside me, and I wanted to make people feel the same way I felt,” said he.

After switching families and sponsors many times, he was ready to surrender and began to change. “I was ready to live a different life and I wanted something better for myself,” said Parker. When ready, he wants to be a father, but understands that he has to have his life under control before taking on the responsibility of a child.

The people who helped Parker the most while he was at The Family Foundation School were Terry McCarthy, Carlton Willliams, Larry Patrisso, and his friends. “I am grateful for all the knowledge and love I received from the people that helped me,” said Parker.

Some hobbies that made his stay at The Family Foundation School enjoyable were playing basketball on the weekends with his friends and playing volleyball during the summer. When not engaged in physical activity, Parker enjoyed playing spades with Carlton in the family, a past-time he misses.

Currently, Parker is a full time student at New York Institute of Technology. He attends meetings regularly and keeps in touch with alumni and family. Since departing from The Family Foundation School, he has learned that leaving doesn’t grant him a break from self searching and he has a lot of work left to do. To the newcomer, Parker says “Be open minded; it gets better.”

Pierce S.

Class of December 2010

Pierce S. paid a visit to The Family Foundation School to watch Barefoot in the Park on Family Day. He was accompanied by some alumni that were in his graduating class. During his stay Pierce was in Family Five, now known as Lake House, and was given JB as a sponsor.

Drugs were part of Pierce’s story, but they were not the sole reason he was sent to The Family Foundation School. He lied to his parents and stole from both his parents and friends. Pierce believes the prime reason for why his life was going downhill was his defiance and behavioral issues.

During his stay at The Family Foundation School, Pierce had difficulty changing his old ideas of living. He had to learn how to tell the truth. At first, telling the truth started with the help of other people; eventually, however, he become willing to be honest on his own.

His sponsor, John Broce, played a big part in his recovery along with a strong spiritual life he developed at The Family Foundation School. “Being spiritual isn’t just about praying. It involves living as an honest person,” said Pierce. He said all of his mistakes have made him a better person, and he has no regrets.

Since graduating from The Family Foundation School, Pierce has struggled with finding friends who hold the same values as he does. He misses gardening with Nash B. during activity period. He is involved in AA and goes to meetings regularly with alumni. To the newcomer, Pierce says, “Stay open-minded and it will all fall into place.” When he came back to visit, Pierce was a role model for the newcomers and students that have been here a while.

Zach N.

Class of December 2010

Zach N. arrived at The Family Foundation School on September 4, 2009, two days after his younger brother Jordan and graduated in December of 2010.

Zach N. was placed in Betton House and given Tommy Cummings as a sponsor. He remained in the same family and kept his sponsor his entire 16-month stay. His biggest help throughout his time at The Family Foundation School was his friend, and fellow Betton-House member Max Z.

During his time at The Family Foundation School, Zach N. participated in Dog Training, and played his violin for The Family Singers, The Family Foundation School’s chorus. He also accompanied them to Hershey Park in the spring of 2010 to play with them during their adjudication at the North American Music Festival.

While attending The Family Foundation School, Zach’s biggest struggle was giving up his control. “I needed to learn how to ‘Let Go and Let God.’”

Zach N. said that his stay at The Family Foundation School was relatively easy, “My stay was pretty smooth. Sometimes I wish that it wasn’t, maybe I could have learned more and had to pick up less on the outside” He does, however, say, “I was lucky.”

Another struggle for Zach was turning 18 three months into his stay. He said that he decided not to leave, “because I wanted help, and I knew there was a lot more I had to find out. I needed to learn about myself and life in general.

He also has many fond memories from his stay at The Family Foundation School and his friends in Betton House. Zach shared two funny memories he has carried with him from his time at the school. “I remember when Adam S. had a creamer in his mouth, and it exploded and got all over Emily Mc. and almost hit Panava all the way at the head table.”

Now that he has left, Zach is living in Vermont, and working at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company and has a second job at the gym he attends. He will also be starting college in the fall at Canisius.

He says that the hardest part about leaving is being alone in a new area. However, he is enjoying the real life experiences he is having, “I am taking the tools that I got [at The Family Foundation School] to learn about life on life’s terms.”

For fun, Zach plays the violin and skis. His advice to the newcomer is, “Stay in the day, find small things that make you happy, and take it one step at a time.”

Andrew D.

Class of December 2010

Alumnus Andrew D. came back to visit his old friends at The Family Foundation School.

When Andrew first arrived at The Family Foundation School, he was placed in Family 7, now known as Lake House. Andrew D. struggled with maturing and growing up throughout his stay. The key motivation that pushed Andrew to turn his life around was when he hit rock bottom. “I had to let something higher than myself to take over. I couldn’t run my life on my own anymore.”

The advice and love of Jan Cheripko, Paul Geer, Father Stephen, and Josh K. were Andrew’s biggest help and support while he was here.

Today, Andrew D. isn’t involved in AA, but he talks to members of his church and other Family Foundation School alumni to get the crazy thoughts out of his head.

Andrew D. currently attends Broome Community College, and after graduating, he hopes to perform on Broadway.

Dave K.

Class of June 2010

Dave K. arrived at The Family Foundation School on August 20, 2008, and graduated on December 18, 2010.

Dave K. visited The Family Foundation School this month with his friend and sponsor, Mike, to “share experience, strength, and hope” with the school in a Sunday night AA meeting.

Dave K.’s car stalled and slid into a ditch down the road from The Family Foundation School, so he and Mike trekked to the school on a cold February night. “I try to be of service as much as I can,” says Dave.

Upon arriving at The Family Foundation School, Dave was put in Family One, now known as Betton House, and remained there for his whole stay.

While here, the people who helped Dave K. the most were his sponsor, Mike Ducey, all the male staff of Betton House, and fellow June graduates Matt W., Chris B., and Bryan W., as well as current Family Foundation School intern Nash B.

Dave had lots of struggles throughout his stay, but with love and support, he was able to overcome these struggles and grow as a person.

During his stay at The Family Foundation School, his favorite hobby was “playing Frisbee with Nash.”

Today, Dave K. is heavily involved in AA and goes to meetings regularly. The support of the AA fellowship and the love of his family and friends give him all the help he needs to be a successful person and live a manageable, happy life.

“I don’t need drugs and alcohol to be happy. I know that life isn’t over for me anymore,” says Dave K.

His advice to the newcomer is, “Never give up.”

Ted W.

Class of June 2010

Theodore W. graduated from The Family Foundation School in June of 2010. Upon arrival, Ted was placed in Family Eight, moved to Family Two, and finally moved into Lake House.

While at The Family Foundation School, he received the most support from Terry McCarthy and Chris Stein.

Ted W. went through several struggles at The Family Foundation School, spending 11 months of his stay in the corner and struggling immensely with honesty. However, he now enjoys a better life.

He is currently skateboarding, being sponsored by a local company and going to school at Norwalk Community College.

Ted W. misses the good friends he made while he was at The Family Foundation School. His advice to the newcomer is, “You won’t know what it is until you experience it.”

Bobby R.

Dec 2010 Program Grad

On January, 25, Bobby R. came back to The Family Foundation School to visit old friends. When he first arrived at The Family Foundation School, Bobby R. was placed in Family Seven (now known as Talbot House). He enjoyed seeing Kieran A. along with other friends with whom he caught up. “I feel like I never left,” he said.

Bobby R. was sent to The Family Foundation School because of drug use and the inability to live a manageable life. Bobby struggled with dishonesty and deceitfulness as well. He says that Lee D. and Jan Cheripko were the biggest help during his stay. Bobby emphasizes how much his higher power keeps him going and says that being spiritually fit benefits him in many ways.

His biggest struggle leaving was staying sober, keeping his faith, and not falling back into old behaviors. Returning to his old high school has been a mental struggle and “has brought about plenty of temptations.”

Bobby R. is slated to graduate from high school in 2011, and is working hard to achieve this goal. Earning a high school diploma is something Bobby’s old behaviors almost took away, and he is glad that he has a second chance to build a future for himself.

Today, Bobby keeps in touch with alumni like Zach N. to help him deal with life’s struggles. “It is essential for me to stay in a good place and be happy by talking with people I trust,” he said. To the newcomer, Bobby advises, “Be happy and be thankful for what you have.”

Andrew B.

June 2010 Program Grad

Andrew B. returned to The Family Foundation School to see the next group of December graduates preparing to move on with their newly refined lives.

Andrew arrived at the Family Foundation School on April 9, 2008, and was put in Family 6, later known as Wilson House, whose population was distributed among the remaining families after closing in December.

Andrew was sent to The Family Foundation School because of his uncontrollable anger and impulsivity. He angered at almost everything and didn’t know how to cope with whatever feeling made him act off on his anger.

After a year of resisting the program, he eventually accepted the consequences of his actions and became willing to surrender and start working to control his rage.

He says that Bill Musgrove and his family were his biggest support. “I’m so thankful for them in my life,” he said.

Andrew’s favorite summer hobbies were volleyball and soccer with his friends.

Today, he is back in society living a normal life and adjusting to a new environment. He keeps in close contact with The Family Foundation School alumni such as Parker S., Regina C., and Matthew B., and looks forward to graduating high school this June.

He is also excited about starting college. “Dreams really do come true,” said Andrew B.

He advises the newcomer to “find somebody who you trust and tell them everything.”

Andrew hopes to stay strong despite peer pressure, remaining steadfast on the positive path he worked so hard to clear.

Andrea G.

The Family Foundation School Class of June 2000

From a Letter Sent to Family Foundation School Counselor Susan Runge

Hi Susan,

It’s so nice to hear from you. I have very fond memories of you from the Family as you were the first staff member that really took to me and I know spoke often with my mom. It’s been a long time and my memory can be quite vague but certain things still stand clear.

Update about me… I graduated from Rutgers University in 2004 with a BS in Materials Engineering and currently work for Loreal USA as a Senior Packaging Engineer and have been with the company for 3.5 years. I have had a few other jobs prior to Loreal but I have found a good fit here and am very happy.

Leaving the Family was very similar to arriving at the Family, a culture shock. I struggled to assimilate myself into a new life and then to re-assimilate myself into my old life, trying to reconnect with friends who I thought would be “ok” to be around. I utilized all the knowledge that I gained from the Family, attended AA meetings, tried to establish a healthy social network, made time for meditation and exercising spirituality, but I felt so lost and incomplete. I was so uneasy and nervous with all the freedom that I soon starting falling back into old habits. I went back to the same people I used to party with and started partying again but on a less aggressive level. I still was unhappy though; I constantly had this sense that I didn’t fit in.

I got involved with a guy who was really an anchor to me and I dropped out of college because my head really wasn’t focused there. My mom forced me to get a full time job and pay her rent, so I did. About nine months after that I realized that I was completely wasting my time and my mind and decided to apply for college and live away.

I was accepted to Rutgers School of Engineering and took the challenge and was on my way to a new chapter in life. It was an excellent decision. I met so many friends, good ones that I still keep in touch with to this day. Sure, I had my peaks and valleys during that time but school was my main priority. The semester before my graduation, my mom fell sick with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. That was incredibly hard for me to deal with so I just buried myself in schoolwork. I avoided her because I didn’t know how to handle being around her seeing her so weak. I regret that now but I didn’t know how to hold back the pain I felt. Thank God she recovered and is now stronger than ever! We have a wonderful relationship today as I do with all members of my family. I have been in a relationship with a man for 1.5 years and we are living together and extremely happy. He is truly a wonderful person, the kind that uplifts me and makes me strive to be a better person for myself and others. I can honestly say that being at the Family built my character in a way that today I feel like I am unique, not negatively different or an outcast. As hard as it was, I am grateful that my mother cared enough about me to persist on my recovery. Today I am happy, healthy, and full of life.

-   Andrea G.