At just 11 years old, Ryan* and his mother, Brooke*, were facing challenges that no family should have to navigate alone. As a single parent, Brooke was carrying the weight of supporting a child through significant trauma, emotional struggles and a relationship that had become strained by pain and miscommunication.
When things began to feel overwhelming, she made the hard decision to reach out for help.
Ryan first came to Child and Family Services during a critical time in his life, living in one of our group homes where he was able to begin processing his experiences in a structured, supportive environment. When Ryan returned home, he continued his care with other services in the Agency. Through Youth Assertive Community Treatment (Youth ACT), Ryan and Brooke were guided through the transition, with ongoing in-home support to strengthen daily routines and work on their goals.
Today, Ryan continues his journey through outpatient counseling, building on the progress he has made along the way.
“Ryan and his mother are truly recognizing each other’s progress,” shared JoAnn Speight, Senior Mental Health Counselor. “They have both put in the work to get here.”
The road to healing was not easy, but with the support of dedicated staff across each program, meaningful change began to take place.
Now 14, Ryan and Brooke are continuing to rebuild their relationship. Their focus has been on building stronger communication and growing their bond one step at a time.
“Before, it felt like she didn’t really listen to me,” explained Ryan. “But now, we’re both trying more, and she even trusts me more. It makes me feel good.”
Ryan and Brooke’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when families are met with compassion and a true continuum of care.
*Names changed for confidentiality.