What Past Students Say

Professional Endorsements

“When I’m asked by a family who is in the middle of a crisis with a beloved, oppositional teen,“Is there a place they can go for real help and hope?” I give them Shelterwood’s number. In my opinion, Shelterwood is in the top 1% of residential treatment programs for teens that blends authentic Christianity with outstanding clinical and “life-on-life” support, modeling and counsel.”
-John Trent, Ph.D. President, The Center for StrongFamilies and StrongFamilies.com

“I’ve been associated with Shelterwood since it’s inception and think it’s one of the finest facilities for troubled teens available.”
-Joe White, President, Kanakuk Kamp

Life Changed

I graduated from SW back in 89. I was 14 and extremely angry. Today I am 34 and am living life. Thanks to my Godly big Sis at SW I am a changed person. It was a long year and a half that I spent in Branson, but I think it was time very well spent. I’m not sure where I would be today if it had not been for my shelterwood experience. The relationships that I developed that year have lasted and will last a lifetime. I wanted to draw close to God, because I saw a glimpse of him in the way my Big Sister and House Director related to me. They made God very attractive. Thank you to all of the staff at SW and for the sacrifices you make every day!

Thanks

I never got to really thank you for helping me. Thank you for being such a positive influence in my life.

Impressed

“When I’m asked by a family who is in the middle of a crisis with a beloved, oppositional teen,“Is there a place they can do for real help and hope?”-I give them Shelterwood’s number. In my opinion, Shelterwood is in the top 1% of residential treatment programs for teens that blends authentic Christianity with outstanding clinical and “life-on-life” support, modeling and counsel.”

-John Trent, Ph.D. President, The Center for Strong Families and http://www.StrongFamilies.com

Thanks

I want to thank all of you for being such a comfort in our time of chaos and trouble with our daughter. From the moment we brought her there, and over the next few months, I have never doubted her being there. When we went to the Spring Retreat, we both felt like the Lord had a covering over Shelterwood. We loved the retreat, meeting the staff and kids, and especially the parents. We finally felt like we weren’t alone, as every parent’s story seemed to be similar to ours. The counseling calls with Katie and Sara were wonderful and very helpful. This whole process has been enlightening, even though the circumstances bringing us to Shelterwood were less than desirable.
I want you all to know my prayers are with you, not only in asking the Lord for continued encouragement and success for Shelterwood, but also in thankfulness for what you have all meant to me. (Parent, 2009)

After the Family Retreat

I didn’t imagine how perfectly God would answer my prayers before Shelterwood – the countless hours pouring my heart out before Him to intervene in John’s’ life. Specifically, I prayed that God would bring some Godly men into John’s life to mentor him in the ways of the Lord, and to be God’s hands and feet in bringing healing into his life. I knew that he needed something more than what I could give him, as a single mother. I spent a lot of my long drive home in the car thanking the Lord for the many ways He has answered my prayers. I am so thankful for the amazing young men who surround John now, and how he is getting exactly what he needs. I have seen such growth in him even in the last few months.

Long Lasting Change

Believe it or not .... I am a Shelterwood grad from 23 years ago!
I am so happy that this wonderful place is still changing lives!

Years Later

I Graduated Shelterwood in 95 and am a better woman thanks to all the caring people there! Thank God for this place!
Autumn

Helpful Tools

I didn’t graduate the program. But I did leave with some tools that helped me through MANY MANY difficult times down the road… I was a student almost 10 years ago

We all changed

In spite of this painful period, we would make the same decision again because not only has our teen benefited, but each one of us has grown spiritually as a result of participating in the process. We are without a doubt, a better, happier family.

Our Daughter

Shelterwood saved our daughter’s life, gave her back to us renewed.

At Risk

Without Shelterwood, I am not sure that I would be alive today.

In Treatment: Age 16
Currently: Age 34

Thank You

I remember the Big Brothers and Sisters playing a big part in my growth. They did not judge me. They encouraged me and walked beside me. I looked up to them. I wanted what they had. I wanted God in my life.

In treatment: Age 18
Currently: Age 30

A Thankful Father

It was hard to say goodbye to the bigs, littles, and Shelterwood in Independence. All of you have given so much to Brad, and he has grown so much since he came there. He really isn’t the same person that we dropped off at the end of September last year. The people at Shelterwood became part of our family. Strange how God works—how sad we can be at leaving a place that was so difficult to bring our son to. Shelterwood has been a “green pasture” that the Lord made us lie down in, and “still waters” that the Lord led us beside, and you all have brought hope and healing to our family. Words can’t express our gratitude to the teachers, bigs, counselors, and staff that gave their love to our son at Shelterwood.

Blessings, Jeff

16 Years Later

“Hey Joey,
It is Lisa from Shelterwood 92-93. I have been meaning to write you for a long time but time slipped by. I have been married for 9 years no kids yet. I have always wanted to say Thank you for what Shelterwood did for me. When I first came to Shelterwood I was really shy and did not express myself. I have many fond… memories of Shelterwood. It really turned me into a great person. ...the program really helped me. I now this is 16 years late in saying but again Thank you and I am glad to hear that it is still helping trouble kids out!
Thanks again!

I want to advertize

i am a former little and i would love to have a Shelterwood poster to put up at my church. shelterwood saved my life! leighana

Saying Thanks

We remember Nate’s year with you as key (he’s visiting a Shelterwood friend as I speak). He’s still maturing but the foundation he rebuilt with you all is still key for him. At 19 he’s still proving himself but our relationship is markedly better.
Thanks for all you ALL do,
Cary

Robert (16) KC shelterwood

to be honest i thought that i didn’t like the place but now that I’m gone i can’t believe how much fun i had with everyone…. unfortunately i didn’t get to Finish the program… but i still think it’s a great place for guys and girls to get our acts together.

A recent visit from a former student

“Joey!! How great it was to sit in your driveway and visit! Thank you for letting us steal you away from the sailboat for a little while! Josh throughly enjoyed meeting you and Jeanie! Driving away Josh said you really love them don’t you! I remembered you coming to BHS to say goodbye to me before I left Shelterwood ... you had to go out of town and would not be there the day I left. I think that was my hardest day of them all at Shelterwood. Thank you for helping me become the person I am today! Which I hope you approve of! “The sky is blue!”“

A recent visit with a former Shelterwood student. She had attended the Branson facility 22 years ago!

Sarah Conner

Sarah Conner is currently a student at the University of Colorado in Boulder

Four years ago, I boarded a plane to Missouri. My parents drove to and from the airports with the child-locks on, to prevent me from carrying out my own travel plans, which primarily included not moving to Branson in the middle of my junior year. Needless to say, my parent’s wishes superceded mine, and off to Branson I went, carrying luggage they had packed without my knowledge.

Teenagers are not especially well behaved when they are not getting what they want, and I was no exception. I was an abrasive, dishonest, eating-disordered teenager who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted. I wanted to graduate with my class, to be in the senior theatre production, to call my best friend, and none of those plans included a flight to Branson. My parents, however, knew what I needed, and I thank them every day for providing me with it despite my efforts to make them miserable in their decisions. I wonder now how long I would have lasted without their guidance. (Not very long.)

I knew God was working miracles in my heart about a year ago, almost halfway through college and two years after I left the Branson campus. This last year has been one of miraculous healing, restoration, and answered prayers. And while this was not in what most consider the “Shelterwood timeline,” my mind immediately went back to the caring people of Shelterwood and LeadTime, and how they had loved me at my worst, and never stopped praying for me even after I left Branson behind. I will always aspire to show love like they did, and I can only hope that I can reciprocate the incredible caring that I found there, even when I least appreciated it.

I only wish I could give the “If I knew then what I know now…” speech to every struggling teenager I see. Not that I think that I have the world figured out (because I don’t…at all…), but I have figured out these important lessons:

- God is good and His grace is big.
- Don’t do stupid stuff.
- My parents are, by all counts, cool people.
- Take advantage of every opportunity to do the right thing.

Shelterwood is an amazing opportunity for a lot of teens to learn these life lessons in a safe environment, instead of learning the hard way in their adult life. While this seems like a hard decision in high school, it has the potential to save so much pain and heartache. I cannot tell you how much I love and respect my parents for making the hard choice to put me on that plane. (Really. I promise)

God has blessed my life now with incredible healing that I could never imagine nor deserve. I love telling people about how my life has changed since then, and give the glory to God and those who do his work, which I can wholeheartedly say personifies those at Shelterwood. I graduate college next year, and I can’t wait to work in ministry and change lives to the extent that mine has been changed.

Shelterwood

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