My wife and I thought the program at Elan was extremely beneficial for our daughter Karen. The program was a tough program and we trusted the staff and supported them throughout the three years Karen was at Elan. The staff was always committed to Karen's progress and there was very little turnover in staff while Karen was at Elan which added to continuity in the program.
Karen learned practical life skills and she is now able to face challenges in her life by drawing on the skills she has learned at Elan. Karen was also able to increase her self confidence through the Cross Country program at Elan. Karen continues to visit the school at least once a year and has run cross country with the team. Karen was able to earn her high school diploma and she was prepared for college and she is currently a senior at Southern Illinois University in the primary grades teaching program.
We have our daughter back thanks to God and the hard work by all the staff and teachers at Elan. We thank all those who had a hand in shaping our daughter while she was at Elan.
Yours Truly,
Gregg M – Karen’s Dad
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Elan is a unique program, and that uniqueness makes it more effective than most other residential facilities. Not only did it help Ursula to understand the relationship between her behaviors and their consequences, therefore teaching her to anticipate consequences before taking action. It also brought out her best abilities academically. In the school setting, she was finally able to live up to her potential. The time Ursula spent at Elan helped her to mature, to know that she was an intelligent, capable person, and to form good relationships. Even though she made many mistakes in the years following her stay at Elan, she never settled for less than she knew she was capable of. It is also important to mention that she really loved the program, has fond memories of being there, and has repeatedly stated that it was one of the best things we did for her.
Today, so many good residential programs have shut down because of lack of funds, leaving only the programs for either severely delinquent or seriously mentally ill adolescents. It is very important to get information about the Elan program to as many professionals and parents as possible.
Ulrike (Rikki) Harris Jones.
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May 4, 2006 Dear Ms. Terry: In our business we often hear more complaints than compliments, even though we strive to do our best. For this reason, I believe that when a job is well-done, it should receive the credit it deserves. It is important to me for you to know how grateful Jill and I are for your staff's hard work in helping our son Jordan over the past year and a half. In particular, Dave McVety has been outstanding. He has always been available to us, promptly returns calls and has taken a keen interest in Jordan and our family. I also want to compliment Dave on his last written progress not following a very emotional visit where Jordan reconnected with his younger brothers for the first time in over 18 months. His progress note was through, well written, articulate and heartfelt. Thank you for sharing Dave with Jordan and our family. Sincerely, Gregg Alan Stone
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Mandy had Some Issues Mandy had some issues, her parents didn't know. Everywhere that Mandy went, her issues were sure to co. They followed her to school each day, which was against the rule. It made the teachers old and gray to have such issues in school. Mandy traveled to the south; her issues came along. Mandy went to Tennessee; her issues there grew strong. Mandy returned to Holliston, her issues led the way. Mandy and her issues fought throughout the day. One day her parents asked her, Mandy what makes you so mad? "It's my issues and their consequence that cause me to be bad." In final desperation, her parents sent her to Elan. To see their daughter happy was the ultimate plan. Mandy met her issues and listened to what they had to say. Then Mandy confronted those issues and made them go away. Now, Mandy has no issues that haven't been resolved. A whole new life for Mandy, with Elan's help has evolved. Mandy has some hope and dreams, that will lead her through her life. She now has strength and confidence to handle every strife.
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For Meghan (at graduation)
Just a few years ago my heart was broken,
Between you and I few words were spoken,
The little girl I loved I feared I had lost,
Emotionally we both paid a pretty big cost.
We saw every expert and talked to the best,
Tried every cure and took every test,
Just when I was ready to give up and quit,
We found Elan, it was a perfect fit.
When you first arrived here it was a bit of a shock,
It didn't fit in with your pre-planned clock.
But we're all very thankful you took it to heart,
You embraced the program and found a new start.
For the next few years you blossomed and grew
I saw the potential of what you could do.
I'm very impressed with what you've achieved.
The sky is the limit I truly believe.
You should take great pride in what you have done,
You faced a great challenge - You fought it and won.
You took full advantage of the opportunity you had,
I've never been prouder to say I'm your Dad.
All My Love,
Dad
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Letter dated 7/26/06 to Kate Hawkins, LMSW at Elan: Dear Kate, I just spent two weeks with my son Terry. This is the first time he has been home since he left for Elan in April of 2004. When he left, there truly was nowhere to go. He was failing high school, heavily using drugs and our close relationship was buried under his depression, emotional pain and rebellion against authority. We sent him to you with a heavy heart and prayers that healing might occur. Maine was a long way from New Mexico and those guilt letters were so painful. It was difficult to trust, or believe. He stayed in rebellion for so long and there were times I lost hope. In the dark times you were there for me and for Terry. They say that which doesn't kill you makes you strong. What a fine, strong, caring man Terry has become. he shows a deep compassion for other people as well as insight and wisdom. He was able to dialogue about the lessons he learned at Elan. Many he will carry with him for the rest of his life. Terry has a job now. He is enrolled in the local community college and graduated from the Elan School with honors. He has developed a sense of self that allows himi to relax and appreciate the people around him. He was helpful, caring, giving and showed integrity in the choices he made. Thank you for the care, patience and skill the Elan staff demonstrated. I am proud of the fine man my son has become. I can never express the depth and nature of the gratitude I feel. In praise and thanks to you all, Sincerely, Karen Wheeler
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Dear Missy,
Due to my strong aversion to any type of public speaking, at Rebecca's graduation I did not properly thank you for all you have done for both Rebecca, Susan and myself. During Rebecca's roller coaster ride at Elan, over the almost three years she was there, as parents sometimes we questioned whether we made the right choice. However we never doubted your commitment to Rebecca. Looking at Rebecca at her graduation, a smiling, confident successful college student, we know now that bringing Rebecca to Elan on August 18, 2000 was most definitely the best decision we could have made.
Missy, by sticking with Rebecca while others might have given up, you turned a young women's life completely around. We know it was not easy, and at times emotionally draining, but when you looked at Rebecca at graduation you must of felt a significant amount of gratification knowing that you were a major integral part of saving this young woman's life.
We will always remember the times you made yourself available to us, either speaking to us from your home, car or from Elan, giving us both good and not so good news. But always being supportive.
You have touch Rebecca deeply and I believe you will always be a part of her life. For turning her life around, we will be forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Richard and Susan Cohen
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