Anna & Ben
Anna*, diagnosed with a serious mental illness and young mother of twenty two month old Ben was referred to YSB for services. Anna's goal was to succeed as a nurturing mother, a role she knew little about growing up, and a role that was complicated by her illness.
Ashley
"TLP has helped me get my bills under control and to better provide for my child," said Ashley, a client in Youth Service Bureau's Transitional Living Program, which provides services to homeless youths between the ages of 16 and 21.
Ben and the Jones' Family
Ben was born, abused, taken away from his real parents, raised by others, adopted into a "permanent" family only to be rejected yet again. How can you salvage life after a start like that? Ben's adoptive parents were unable to have children and though judged to be equipped to be parents by a social worker not prepared, it seemed, to deal with an adolescent with problems. Abused kids who have lived with many families have problems. The Jones couple was scared, disillusioned, and overwhelmed.
Brandy's Secret
Brandy was eleven when she was sexually abused by her step brother. She did not choose to live with him. She did not welcome his visits to her room when everyone was sleeping, to wake her, and force her to do things for which she wasn't ready. She believed him when he threatened to harm her little sister if she told. Ever.
Brittany
Brittany's life was permanently altered by a near fatal car accident. Her mother, driving while impaired, ran a stoplight and made a left turn at a major intersection.
Baby Emma
When Emma was born her mother had a serious drug addiction and a lifestyle that soon brought her to the attention of DCFS. She had very few strengths at that time, but did possess a strong determination to turn her life around and regain custody of her daughter. At the time of Emma's removal from her home few who worked with Emma's Mom would have bet a nickel she would ever be reunited with her daughter.
Jennifer
Jennifer suffered a trauma at the hands of people in her community, and yet the community responded with the help Jennifer needed to become whole. When she was 4 and a half months old she was placed in the only foster home she would ever know, and stayed right there. Jennifer found a home. A couple found their family. YSB helped them find each other.
Jeremy's Christmas Wish
Christmas 2007 has extra meaning for us at YSB this year because of Jeremy, a ten year old boy with dreams. Jeremy dreams of knowing his father. During his short life he has been raised by his mother and his maternal grandmother. But he always longed to know his Dad. Sometimes in YSB's work we have to imagine life without the basics. Close your eyes and imagine your Dad's face, remember the sound of his voice, recall his laugh. Jeremy didn't have that.
Josh's Turn Around
Josh came to YSB as a sad twelve year old. His sadness was easily understood. At age ten, Josh was a fifth grader who felt like everyone else. By age twelve, his world changed completely. His father was incarcerated for a drug offense. His Mom, who had never worked before, seemed now to be at work all the time.
Don't Write Off Luke
Luke is one of our kids, and one of yours. He has always lived in the Illinois Valley. Luke's family fell apart when he was ten. His father was incarcerated and his mother's drug addiction was so severe she could not care for him. Luke's needs were great and they taxed our local resources. Luke was diagnosed with mental illness at an early age and many predicted he would always need institutional care.
Day Care Help for Rita
While The Kids' Place is for everyone, for families of all incomes, over 50% of the parents who come to YSB's center receive subsidized day care and by doing so improve the quality of life for their family. They also insure that their children receive quality care. The Kids' Place is fully licensed, staffed by qualified teachers, outfitted with safe and bright equipment, and filled with the newest ideas of how to best serve families.
* Names Changed