CLE-Austin Student Continues Journey

20 Nov 2009

by: Starr Commonwealth

A long journey

Jeffrey arrived at Montcalm School for Boys in Albion, Michigan on October 1, 2003.  “When I first entered the program, I was a scared little boy. I did not know the damage my behavior was causing,” Jeffrey said during his speech upon graduating from the program on August 9, 2009. He spent nearly six years in the program, learning, evolving and growing into an intelligent, caring, independent man who now lives in Austin, Texas, and is attending College Living Experience (CLE), a program for students with special needs. “Today, I stand before you a man who clearly knows the difference between right and wrong as well as helping and hurting,” he said. The staff and many of the students who had gotten to know Jeffrey so well over the years, were proud of him for transitioning to CLE, but sad to see him go. “Jeffrey still maintains contact with some of the staff and students here,” said Jenna Copenhaver, Senior Structured Transitional Living Clinician. “He sends updates by emails and calls. For some of these guys, this is really building true relationships. They don’t have the experiences in the past of having true, long-lasting friendships.”

While on campus, Jeffrey graduated from high school, earned college credits from a nearby community college and worked part-time at a local bowling alley. None of this would’ve been possible six years ago. “He really had a hard time gaining peer acceptance, which led to issues with honesty and lying,” Ms. Copenhaver said. “Jeffrey was a fantastic storyteller.” “He also struggled with what it takes to be a good friend. He wanted to be treated well so when he felt like he wasn’t, he felt justified in treating others poorly.” Through the skilled guidance of Montcalm’s clinical staff and the peer group empowerment model employed here, Jeffrey began building on his self-confidence, gained and maintained peer relationships, improved his relationship with his father and developed his life skills. “We continued to provide him several different opportunities to enhance life skills,” Ms. Copenhaver said. “He was in charge of his own medication, responsible for his daily scheduling, held a job with the bowling alley, did chores, and cooked and prepared his own meals.”

Back in Austin, Jeffrey said those skills are helping him meet new people and become more independent every day. But it isn’t always easy. “He calls back when he needs support,” Ms. Copenhaver said. “Several staff members got a call once, asking for advice. He knows he can trust us.”