The decision to enroll a child in a residential treatment program is one of the most difficult choices a parent will ever make. Jeremy Lotz (MA, LPC, NCC) knows. He has guided many young people and their families through their residential treatment journeys, both as a therapist at Shelterwood (2010-2017)
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The most wonderful time of the year can feel, well, overwhelming for a lot of families. Holiday stress can be especially acute when a family has experienced big changes. Even positive shifts, such as sobriety or getting treatment for mental health, can make a family rethink their seasonal traditions, expectations
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Shelterwood’s horticulture program began, appropriately, with a small seed of an idea: Executive Director Rujon Morrison wanted to transform the empty space behind the girls’ house into something more beautiful and useful: a prayer garden. “I had a vision for a raised-bed garden with a cross in the middle,” Rujon
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When Kyle Anderson was a teenager, two key adults made a big impact on his future as a musician, performer and mentor. He grew up in a musical family, but it took the support of people outside his inner circle to help him believe in himself. First, his high school
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As the Girls’ House Director, Erikka Dunn’s leadership and therapeutic residential treatment experience combines perfectly with her passion for helping teen girls grow into confident, independent young women. Erikka began at Shelterwood as a Residential Manager in July and began her new position in September. She was drawn to Shelterwood
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October 10 is World Mental Health Day, an international day of recognition designed to help raise awareness and lessen the stigma of mental illness. 2018’s focus is on young people and the challenges they are facing today. In the United States, almost half of all teenagers (45.9 percent) have experienced
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Despite nationwide efforts to fight the bullying epidemic, current research says prevalence rates are as high as 36 percent. In addition, more than one in five teens report being bullied specifically at school. Jessica Wood, licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director at Shelterwood, says she’s seeing an increase in the
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Shelterwood staff shares a vision for the heart, character and educational achievement of our students. Today, we meet one of our Mentors. Mentorship lays the groundwork for heart change and the spiritual growth of our students. Shelterwood Mentors seek to serve teens and share their faith in a way that
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In the 2013-14 school year, over 6 million students missed 15 or more days of school, equating to 14% of the student population. Chad Smith, Shelterwood’s Program Director, is proactively addressing “chronic absenteeism” at both the student and community level. Across the nation, struggles with mental and emotional health are
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Drew Way was on a downward spiral at school and in life. He was suspended from school due to drug use, and made threats to his parents. The worst part, for his family, was the lack of remorse shown by Drew. “The day I went to the office and found
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