Category: Success Stories
Tag: disability | dyslexia | education | language | learning
The Stern Center for Language and Learning is a nonprofit learning center dedicated to helping children and adults reach their academic, social, and professional goals. At an annual meeting of the organization, Zach Terwilliger shared his story and expressed gratitude for his Stern Center teachers who understood his learning disability, knew how to teach him …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: camp | cancer | Hodgkin's lymphoma
I was given the opportunity to attend Dream Street the summer of 2001 while going through treatment for Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At 11 years old, bald and scared, I entered a world that would change my life forever. This past summer was my 17th year with the organization. It was a bit of a …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: fresh start | parole | reunion | Social Services
At one point in his life, Robert Ford was living the American dream. He was an Army veteran, had a job he loved, owned his own home and his wife was pregnant with their first child, Magan. Then, things went downhill. Robert got into trouble and was sent to the penitentiary. Magan was just 10 …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: cerebral palsy | disability | occupational therapy | physical therapy
It is amazing how your vision for the future can change in an instant. That’s what happened when my triplets were born early at just 25 weeks, weighing just a few pounds each. I was devastated when, shortly after the girls were born, Corinne passed away from a rare heart defect, and Addison and Jocelyn …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: art | creativity | healing
Art & Creativity for Healing Inc. (ACFH) supports emotional healing for children, families, individuals, and military personnel using our Art4Healing® method. We assist adults and children suffering from the emotional impacts of abuse, illness, grief, fear or stress. Our individual workshops and community programs offer expression, encouragement, clarity, and insight. ACFH also partners with schools, …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: Adoption | Foster | Social Services
This piece was published originally in May 2017 on trinityys.org Brother and sister, Cesar (13) and Betzaida (12), were placed into foster care eight years ago. They were detained from their birth mother, placed into the care of their older sister, then were also removed from her care. With their father deceased and no other …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: food pantry | school | Social Services
Assistance League of Santa Ana has been helping children and families in Santa Ana for over 80 years. One of our significant philanthropies is Operation School Bell. This program provides for complete outfits for children, including school uniforms for school. But we often see a need and decide to go beyond just providing uniforms. We …
Category: Success Stories
As told by Ryan (last name withheld for privacy). My name is Ryan. On January 18th, 2012, I was a freshman just starting my second semester at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. I played JV lacrosse, kept good grades, and went to school with all my friends. On January 19th of 2012, my life changed …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: dropout | Education & Development | Social Services | teen mom | teen parenting
As a pregnant teen, I was told a lot of things. ‘You won’t be able to finish school. You’ll never be able to support yourself. You’ve ruined your life. How could you let this happen? You’re not with the dad? No one wants a girl with baggage. You’re damaged goods.’… Encouraging stuff, no? I also …
Category: Success Stories
Tag: homelessness | Social Services
My name is Marianne and I want to share my South County Outreach story with you. My husband and I have four amazing children, two sons aged 11 and 17 and two beautiful daughters, aged 3 and 12. In 2015, we were just like any other Orange County family; Tom worked for a property management …