To all who are a part of Saving Teens,

From deep in my soul, I want to thank you for your support to help my son, Michael, and our family receive the help we needed to fight the  chains of addiction that have caused so much destruction and heartache. After being a homeless runaway and sitting in the juvenile detention center five different times, Michael had hit rock bottom. His substance abuse had hit a new level of desperation. He was using marijuana 20 or more times per day and was moving on to anything else that he could get his hands on. He was stealing anything and everything. The court system had decided to place him out of my care and he was looking at two years mandatory jail time at age 15. His life was over. 

Saving Teens helped me be able to send him to WILDERNESS PROGRAM and avoid the court placement. It was a leap of faith for everyone involved. Michael's life was saved. He worked harder than any boy they had seen at WILDERNESS PROGRAM for every day of the twelve weeks he spent there. They called him a legend! He rose to be a strong leader and really discovered what an amazing young man he is.  Many times he has told me, "I don't know who these people are or how you got this done, but I am so grateful and amazed that people care about me and I promise not to waste a day of it.". 

Through much hard work and persistence, Marilyn found a school that was willing to give a substantial discount and scholarship for Michael's second phase of treatment. Saving Teens committed to the amount I needed to make this happen. Once again, people were taking a leap of faith. Michael has been at THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL now for seven weeks. He has continued his hard work. He is engaging academically for the first time in 6 years and is amazed at how smart he is. He has learned that with a clear mind and healthy body, he can do anything. I spoke with him yesterday and he told me to throw away his stereo because he had left some weed and lighters in there. He said, "I am so happy right now, that I don't want anything to tempt me or mess this up in the future."  

He has been sober now for almost five months and is receiving the education and counseling to live a sober life and become a contributing member of society. I know there are many ups and downs ahead for us but I am so hopeful now. Michael is in the middle of my eight children. We were all paralyzed and not functioning at all in healthy ways. Now, the whole family is learning new healthier ways to function and grow. The results are truly amazing. Not only has Michael benefitted, but so has the entire family. 

Thank you from our entire family! 

Kim C