From Bitter to Better - A Lot
Better by Skylar Sowers, Oklahoma Girls Group Home Resident
I came into Bethesda Girls
Group home unaware where I positioned myself. I didn’t know what to
expect or learn from this apprehensive place. I had my mind set that if
I played pity for myself and manipulated my parents...
Misty's Validation Leads to Healing(Oklahoma
Girls Group Home)
Misty is a 17 year old, single mother of a 2-year-old son. She has been
involved in the D.H.S. system for most of her life. Both of her parents
are incarcerated for drug related charges and both have had their
parental rights terminated. Misty began living in foster care when she
was 6 years old her son began much younger. As a child, Misty was
resistant to being adopted because of her dream...
Special Letter from Sarah (Oklahoma Girls Group Home
My name is Sarah, I was born on March 3, 1987. I am now currently 18
years old. I was raised in a normal, loving and caring family. My mom,
dad and brother attended church every Sunday and every Wednesday.
It was all pretty much normal until I turned 16 years
old. It was the year everything changed. My boyfriend and I broke up
after...
(Oklahoma Girls Group Home)
Allison is 15 years old. She has had the unfortunate experience of dealing
with abuse and other extensive family difficulties. She moved to Oklahoma
from Colorado at the age of 12. For the last ten years she has been raised
by her
mother and stepfather, and has a twin brother. She has only recently
had contact with her biological father. Allison was admitted to our facility
in February…
Tears of Joy (Oklahoma Girls Group Home)
On January 17, 2003, we discharged a young lady named Jean. Her
mother and sister came to pick her up. They were all crying, as they had
been seven months earlier when Jean was admitted. However, the tears
were for different reasons than on that earlier day…
The following was received by Bill Peirsel, Parenting Instructor/Counselor at the State Correctional Institutions in Laurel Highlands and Somerset, by an inmate who participated in our Parenting Program. What a special thank you!
The following was received by Joshua B. Fetterolf who attended
the Alternative Education Program in Milton.
A Parenting Story (SCI
Dallas Penitentiary)
My name is John T. Jones, I’m writing
this letter to express how taking the Bethesda Parenting class has
changed my whole outlook on life. Before taking this class I was a
bitter, angry and confused person. I was living my whole life in
turmoil with drugs and crime. As a child I was molested and beaten
and to top it off, I was mistreated by my own mother. I was never
shown affection or love as a child. I grew up in a family that did
nothing but drugs and crime. I was never taught any morals or value
about life. When I was 12 years old...
A Parenting Story (Lewisburg Penitentiary) The first time I met Joe was sometime in 1992. I had just retired from the
United States Bureau of Prisons and was working part-time coordinating
a college program at the Lewisburg Penitentiary. He was looking for a way out,
and perhaps
thought college was it. We met several times. He was friendly towards
me and appeared comfortable in our conversations. We seemed to "hit it
off." Why?
I don't know…
A Letter to my Daughter by Bob Niemack, Director of BAD DADS Dear Colleen,
The better I get to know you, the more amazed and proud I am to be your father—proud
because you've grown up to be such a wonderful young woman with so many traits
I admire and respect. Amazed because I know you didn't become this person overnight,
and yet I feel I wasn't there for the transformation...
Ministry of Reconciliation Retreat(Tarpley – Cornerstone Church
June 25-26) Writing my autobiography was difficult to be specific at the beginning. However, once I got started writing, my past somewhat flowed with eagerness to get it all done. Afterward, reading it gave me the first part of vindication...
Stillmeadow Men's Retreat(October 15-16, 2004) Just a quick note of appreciation for your tender ministry during the Stillmeadow retreat. After I returned home on Sunday night, my family and I had a special discussion that will be a "marker" for each of us...
A number of people have commented on the success of our programs. Included here is a sampling of client comments.
Making a Difference (House of Hope)
Thanks for making such a difference in our lives. We are Paul and
Sharon, one of the families you helped while teaching at House of
Hope in Orlando. Michael was placed on "Home Phase" in
early August; shortly after our meeting, we moved to North Carolina
and went back for his graduation from House of Hope in September…
A Letter From Linda(Devereux Florida)
Dear Mr. Dominic,
My name is Linda and I'm from the Devereux RTC in Orlando. I was in the
front row seat on Friday with the red hair. If you don't remember me well
that's okay. I don't think I could ever forget you. You reached
deep inside my heart further then almost anyone's words can go…
For more information on Bethesda Family Services Foundation,
feel free to e-mail us
today or call (570) 523-0605.
