by admin on July 13, 2010
By Ross A.
Twenty-two months ago, on August 27, 2008, I walked into The Family Foundation School miserable, enraged, and spiritually bankrupt. I was a sorry excuse for a boy. I had destroyed my life through addictions to drugs, sex, and alcohol. I threw it away in a demoralizing pursuit of a mere semblance of happiness. I was so miserable; I just couldn’t bare the pain of living. A self destructing shell of a person walked through the front doors past the Saint Joseph statue that day.
On June 26 2010, only a few days from now, I’ll be walking past him again, this time he’ll be saying goodbye to a happy man, a man who has found his purpose in life, a man who’s had his life returned to him. It’s rather uplifting to think about it, as I leave I’ll be waving goodbye to that lifestyle, those feelings, that pain.
A huge chunk of the last nine of my 22 month stay was spent in the spacious, cozy, and hectic abode of room 107, the ‘headquarters’ of The Family Times. I’m glad that I got to work under Chris Stein for this time.
As an editor I got to write a column every month, and had to decide what I really wanted to write about.
At first I was fond of writing advice-type columns, talking about my own program work I was dealing with.
Then, in May, I wrote my first controversial opinion piece.
This is my final column in The Family Times, and the contrast between my emotional state prior to my arrival at FFS, and now, was too overwhelming to not honor here. I don’t feel a need to write some arcane, or eloquent piece, but simply express gratitude for the gifts I have been given.
In honoring this transformation I am obligated to thank The Family School for all the help I have received here. I don’t use the word obligation with disdain, but rather with compassion and gratitude. As a matter of fact, on my last home visit I went on the FFS “truth” website, and was disappointed. I believe that FFS is a great place, although I, as anyone else, have my grievances. Regardless, I am grateful that God rescued me from myself and delivered me here.
The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual changes I’ve undergone here varied in gravity, speed, and visibility. There were times where my attitudes on life changed quickly. There were times where I saw a moment in time paralleled to one a year prior and was astonished and grateful for the changes that had slowly been happening almost without my knowing. I attribute all of the change to God. Don’t misinterpret this as piety. I avoid being pious at all costs, but I must give credit where credit is due. I owe a big thanks to Him.
FFS Program Graduate Shares Her Story
By Larissa A.
Unlike many teenagers who come to The Family Foundation School for drug and alcohol problems, I didn’t. I never did drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette. However, I did have a horrible relationship with my mom, dad, and brother. My family problems, school problems, and social problems, all led to me either cutting or burning myself. There were times when I ran away from my house and from there I would meet up with guys. My life was totally unmanageable and I hated it, which is why, from the age of eleven to fifteen, I tried to end my life so many times.
The straw that finally broke the camel’s back was when I got into a physical altercation with my mom. That night was, by far, the worst night of my life. I let my disease take control and I threw my cell phone at my mom and pushed my computer into her chest. That wasn’t the last of the fight. After that I blacked out, but I do remember pushing my mom into a flight of stairs and then my dad had to restrain me. That was the night that my parents told me I was coming to The Family School.
I arrived on January 15, 2008. My first six or seven months I was on shadow. I was not talking to anyone, and all I did was cry. Whenever I got upset, I just sat on the couch, cried and cut myself. In my tenth month here I finally got a buddy, Sarah B. I remember being so scared. I thought that she would hate me forever and I wouldn’t be able to help her, but she was an awesome buddy. However, when I was here a little over a year, I decided to make more stupid decisions. I would be defiant and sit up on Chapel Hill. That only led to me being put back on shadow.
On April 4, 2009, I again decided that I wanted something different for my life. I had a family group, and my parents told me they wanted to see a change in me. From that day forward, I wanted to use the 12 Steps to rebuild my life. In a couple of months, I got through my first seven steps. From there I earned buddying and shadowing and eventually junior sponsoring, and on July 31, 2009, I was given an anchor. It was clear that God was with me that day.
In a couple of months, I was able to make a huge turnaround. I had my loving family back, and I developed a relationship with my big brother. On one of my home visits, I got into a stupid argument with my parents, and immediately, the old Larissa came back. I refused to talk to them. My brother finally came to my room and asked me to come out. I was shocked. There was no relationship between my brother and me, but at that point, God decided to send him to help me.
My life has dramatically changed. Things in my life are not perfect, but I do have a relationship with my parents and my brother back. And, I have found the source of peace, love and happiness. I have some great friendships, and my passion for dancing has come back. My sponsor Caren and my junior Denise have both helped me grow. However the one ‘person’ who has guided me my entire 29 months at the school, is God. Making my confirmation has shown me that no matter how many times I stray from him, he will always be there for me.
This program really does work if you work it. I have a loving family again, healthy relationships, and a spiritual life.
by admin on June 28, 2010
I don't know what to say ... Karen S. receives here Student of the Month award at Circle-Up.
Karen S. Named New Student of the Month
By Erika C.
Along with helping students pass their Chemistry Regents, The Family Foundation School Student Karen S. wears many hats around the school and is involved in numerous activities that benefit her peers. On June 2, Karen was named Student of The Month for all of her hard work and devotion to the school.
Karen S. arrived at The Family School on March 20, 2008, an angry, selfish, and resentful person. During her first few months she spent most of her time in the corner for refusing to tell the truth and even ran away to avoid honestly facing herself. After months of living this way she decided to make an experiment with the truth and with relying on a Higher Power.
Her life began to change for the better and today Karen is a happy, spiritual, and loving person. She is very involved in her faith, spends time helping the girls in her family, and is an active member in Student Government and the Recreation Committee. Karen has also been involved in woodcarving, soccer, softball, and basketball.
“It’s an honor and a sign of hope for any newcomer because if I can, they can too,” she said. “This isn’t me,” she said after receiving her award. “This is God.”
Karen has spent the last six months working for the math and science department at FFS and will be graduating at the end of the month. She will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall and plans on continuing to go to Mass and be of service to people.
“If you’re willing to try something new, eventually grace will come in and take care of the rest,” Karen said.
by admin on June 27, 2010
By Luke V.
Before arriving at The Family Foundation School my life was far from sane. I was angry, depressed, violent and uncontrollable. I withdrew myself from everything and acted on my anger towards my family and friends. At FFS, I continued the same patterns of anger and depression. My sponsor told me a relationship with a Higher Power is a necessity if I wanted freedom from inner demons and character defects.
In Robin Ducey’s Living Skills class, theoretic and ideological discussions concerning a Higher Power were essential and expected. I started by being attentive and questioning my existence. I questioned what would happen after I die. Where would I end up? What is my Higher Power? What does He have in store for me? Can I trust everything will turn out okay?
While contemplating these questions and others of the same nature I wanted more. Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy provided an explanation of what might happen after death and the importance of the journey through life.
His Inferno renders hell, Purgatorio a place of judgment, and Paradiso provides a vision of paradise. Dante’s journey with Virgil heads into the underworld, ascends out of the inferno, through purgatory and into paradise. This journey presents a metaphysical perspective of our lives after death as well as transforming our despair and anguish to freedom and peace.
Living a good, just, honest life moves us into paradise. Living a life of dishonesty, selfishness and negativity buys a ticket into the long painful experience of hell.
While contemplating Dante’s metaphysical notions, I looked at how I lived my life. In the past, I lived in fear, anxiety and despair. The way I was living led me to hate myself and everyone around me. I was violent and was destined to experience the long eternal suffering of hell. I did not want to live in hell on earth any longer, so I started seeking a solution.
I talked with my sponsor and decided I was going to give a relationship with a Higher Power a try. I experimented with prayer and meditation. I started attending Mass and having conversations about God and my existence. I came to believe in the power of God after witnessing a student in a state of distress and violence turn to a place of serenity and peace because he called on his Higher Power. Cultivating this relationship with God has freed me from anxiety, stress and fear. Now, I have a good direction and purpose in life. I will be attending the University of Scranton in the fall on scholarship and as a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. The Family School has taught me how to deal with life problems. My relationship with God and the principles I have set down to govern my life are the most integral ideals I have gained here.
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