James was adopted as a baby by his uncle and aunt. Sadly, his early years had been fraught with abandonment and neglect. As a result, James was diagnosed with an attachment disorder.
Outwardly, James was personable and articulate - but with those close to him, specifically his mom and sister, he was angry with sadistic and violent tendencies. In essence, James worked hard to push people away before they pushed him away or abandoned him completely.
At Samaritan Center, in collaboration with local partnerships, James received the counseling he needed. He was provided with unconditional love, proving to him that no one was planning to turn their backs on him - no matter what. James had a breakthrough. He now accepts love and provides it to others in return. Although his mother and father are no longer together, James enjoys spending time with his dad. He has learned how to function in a group and an educational environment. He continues to work on healing in his relationship with his mom and sister. The future is bright for James and his family.
Adrian was a very troubled boy with challenging behavioral issues that included defiance of authority, lying, bursts of anger and reluctance to accept responsibility. Most people believed Adrian would wind up in prison, on the streets or on welfare.
At Samaritan Center, through a great deal of love, strong guidance and much encouragement, Adrian turned his life around. We worked with Adrian and his family to provide structure and consistency in their lives. They learned that through hard work and persistence they could achieve anything.
Adrian, his mother and his two younger siblings are now off welfare, and a strong family with great values has emerged. They have set a plan for their future: Adrian’s mother went to school to become a physician’s assistant, and is just a few credits short of achieving that goal. Having found a good job, Adrian is supporting the family while his mother attends school. Upon graduating and finding a job, it will be Adrian’s mother’s turn to support the family, allowing Adrian to go to school and earn his degree. The younger siblings? They, too, have learned to be responsible people who will contribute to the community.