Residential Phase Success Stories
Recommending Tough Love
Post from Class 18 Parent
I encourage you to be tough & tell him if he doesn't shape up according to what you require of him (passing classes, being respectful, etc) then he will have to go to this program or else he will have to live somewhere else - like a homeless shelter. We had to wait until he was 18 to get really tough with him & tell him he was going to have to leave. We had so many arguements with him. We toured the city homeless shelter with him & had a suitcase packed. Since he had no where to go, he had to agree to go. I always talked positively about the program & emphasised that he could get his GED & move on with his life. I even promised him some money if he completed the program. I stayed home the three weeks before he left so I could watch him night & day and see that he was drug free.
He had been smoking marijuana, flunking all of his classes, skipping classes, sneaking out at night & using foul language with me & my husband. I was a nervous wreck. It was a bad environment for his younger brothers. I was looking for a summer boot camp on-line & found the MYCA website. I just knew that this was where he had to go.
After the first two weeks he begged us to let him come home, but I just couldn't have him back yet because we could tell he hadn't changed & he needs the GED. It was heartbreaking because we could see he was under so much stress. But a month later at the Feb visit, he was so much better. He was nice to me & my husband for the first time in more than a year. He's accepted where he is. He told us stories of things that have been happening. He is behaving. He is doing well in school. He did well on his tests. He even says that he likes school days. He is reading books. It is good to talk to him on the phone. He seems so much more mature. He wants to go away to college. A few months ago we wouldn't have considered it since we would have been throwing our money away. But now we will consider it depending on how the rest of the semester & how the summer goes.
I tell everyone that my prayers have been answered. I am very happy about him.
Our Young Man!
Spending the holiday with him, we seen a big change in our son! His maturity, responsibility and loyalty to his family and friends.
He took it upon himself to do a little homework; helped out his Mom and Dad around the house; visited with family and friends and also 5 hours of community service.
MYCA was the last chance for our son. They took him under their wings and returned to us a mature, responsible young man. How do you thank them for that? What words do you use? A big "Thank You" just doesn't seem to be enough. As another parent of Cycle 13 said, "Who knew that angels came in army fatigues". How true that is!
Our son has two part-time jobs waiting for him. He's also enrolled in adult ed. classes.
Thank you MYCA! For returning our son to us as a productive, self-assured young man!
God Bless You All!
Ken and Teresa Burch
Class 17 Parent:
I cant say how proud we are of our son, Cadet Statler, Kyle. You have brought him so far, we are forever greatfull!! He had a 1.75 GPA at his old school, he now has between a 3.8 and 4.15. He has joind the Guard and is talking about going to college...........THE CHANGE IN HIS OUTLOOK IN LIFE IS JUST UNBELIEVEABLE!!!
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU!!
Class 14 Parent:
We sent Cadet Nolan to MYCA a high school drop out, A boy who thought his friends and drugs was what life was about.A person who had no self respect and no regard for anyone.
Our dream when sending him to MYCa was that he earn his GED. MYCA has given us so much more. Cadet Nolan came to you as a broken boy. MYCA has changed Cadet Nolan into a young man, with respect for himself and others. He has gained self esteem which has never had. MYCA has given him the tools to succeed in life. For once Cadet Nolan has dreams and goals. And that is a blessing to the family.
As Cadet Nolans parents we would like to Thank You all so much for all the work you have done. This means more than anyone would know.
We are so very proud of Cadet Nolan and proud of the MYCA Staff for helping the boys and girls in Michigan . Helping them start new lives and giving them the tools they need to succeed, tools that parents could not give them.
The Parent of Cadet Christopher Nolen- Cycle 14
Bragging rights
I am about at the point with this program, that I cry and pray with gratitude every time I think about it. How many times do we receive 2nd chances with our lives? This program is so much more than that for my son. He has absolutely bloomed since July. He is 18, and is preparing now for the rest of his life. I can see him make adult, well thought out decisions about his future. He has set up a career of helicopter mechanics in the National Guard for when he leaves highschool in May. He has also found a way to have another chance at college and a shot at piloting that he has always wanted.
He has gone from probable drop out with no faith or hope for himself to this point in 3 months. I can't wait to see how it takes root and grows in the next 3 months. My friends are about to start running and hiding when they see me coming. For the first time in so many years I am having to learn to control my BRAGGING about David!
Who would have thought angels came in army fatigues?
| |||
 MYCA Testimonial My daughter Angela was well on her way to being a full blown hoodlum. She was wild, disrespectful, vulgar and that was her good quailities. She hated me and any kind of authority. In regards to her grades- I haven't seen better than a D for awhile. I was at my wits end! Her counselor suggested the MYCA. I knew she could be a great success at anything, if she would only try. I never could have imagined how successful my baby would be. Because of MYCA : she gets good grades- mostly A's, she's on the student counsel, was a squad leader. Another example...on visitation she called a couple of the kids numbskulls. I was so shocked! I did not hear one profane word all day. She has changed back into the child I raised and thanks to MYCA, she'll be a purposeful, successful young adult. Thank you to all of the Cadre's and the staff of MYCA. I am forever in your debt. |
