On August 4, 2020 Andy* was placed at Sunrise’s Cumberland Adventure Program (CAP) in Bronston for beyond-control behavior that made it impossible for his mother to keep him safe. From the day he arrived until just a few months before he left, he literally shook from head to toe with anxiety, daily.

The staff at CAP dealt with the usual beginning issues: Andy was angry that he was not at home; he resented being away from family and friends; and he was having issues adjusting to the program. With time, he began to acclimate to the program and build relationships with peers and staff. Thus, his transformation began.

Andy worked very hard in individual and family therapy to build a more positive relationship with his mother and brother and replace negative thoughts and behaviors with positive, more appropriate responses.

On June 8 of this year, a young man with a very different mindset discharged and went back home to his mother and brother. “Yes sir,” and, “No, ma’am,” were now his normal responses when asked to do something. He had learned consideration for what was best for the other boys living in the Sunrise cabin as a whole rather than just what was best for him personally. Andy now has a stronger belief in himself that will help him when others try to control his thinking and actions. These positive thoughts and behaviors have become second nature to him.

Susan Hicks, Andy’s therapist at CAP, received a call from Andy’s mom a few weeks ago. She cried as she thanked Hicks and the other staff members for returning the son she once knew back to her. Hicks thanked her but explained that all the hard work and positive choices were done by her son, and Sunrise only provided him with skills that Andy chose to utilize to bring about those positive changes. Some days in the cabin are hard, but this particular day went a little bit easier for the staff at CAP because they knew our program had helped this young man return to the home and bright future he so rightly deserves.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of individual.