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From Andrew D.
"My name is Andrew, I was at G.A. from 81 till 83.
I completed my eleventh grade at the Campus School, and lived in unit 2 until i was able to move to the Wilson's house on Harding street.
After a summer job, G.A. my family services worker and I all thought i was ready to go back home and live with my parents... after starting my senior year at home it didn't take me long to realize I needed the discipline and structure I got from Mr. and Mrs Wilson. I was able to return to their house and graduated from JHS.
While at G.A. I participated in the Steel Appeal band and had much fun touring with Howie and the rest of the band!
As far as being a success story, i don't know how to measure a person's success per se I am hold a CDL and Drive a truck for a company in Georgia, and have been clean and sober for 22 years. did I make mistakes along the way? oh yeah! bad ones, I did things I'm not proud of... have i gotten past those places in my life YES!!!
I am so proud that there are others out there that remember how G.A. helped them, like I was also helped.
Keep up the great tradition of LSS and God Bless!"
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From Tiffany L.
"I resided at GA from from 1986 until August 1988. When I was at GA there were so many staff members that I loved, I excelled there and I appreciate everything the program taught me. I was originally in Unit 3, I moved into the "apartment" there, then I went on to live in Unit 4 then, a couple of months later I moved into the group home. My fathered had died a year before I was placed there and I want to tell you, I recieved so much LOVE and understanding!!! My teacher's name was melanie, I do remember matt, and Lori, Steve, and tony briscoe, there were so many influential people there. I do believe that GA and it's caring staff saved my life. Now I am 34 years old I am in college working towards a degree in general studies (science and Math) I will graduate in December 2009, and I am also in the schools Nursing program, set to graduate in December 2010. All of these would not be possible without the support that I felt from them and other staff there. I would like the opportunity just to say THANK YOU, (if any of these people ever read this) they helped me to be a better person!!!!"
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From Todd R.
"My name is Todd R. I was placed in 1989 from Rochester NY and that is what saved my life. I was not always the best kid but Lori and Steve and Debbie and Silvia where there in every way to help me and even went past what should have. They took me in almost as there own kid. I was put in unit 2 in the begining and spent 2 years in the second to best unit number one has to be unit 4 there I met Lori and Steve and they where my MOM and DAD Steve tought me how to fly remote control planes and Lori she was the best I think about her every day I could not love a Mother any more then I love her. Another real house MOM was Dottie although she has passed on she will never be forgoten, as she would wake me up she always had the best smile. You could never be mad around her. There are so many stories but any kid reading this remember the staff realy are here for you. I spent 3 years in Harding group home with the Wilsons and the Quarkers and we went on so many trips from Virgina Beach to camping in the woods and let me tell you if you ever meet the Quarkers and go camping watch out for Bears. All I can say is thank you even after all the crap I did you made me what I am today."
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From Sarah G.
"In 1993 I was sent to the GA home until roughly 1996. In the begining I could not adjust to the newly structured lifestyle and felt living there was a punishment. I rebelled as often as I could by smoking and other semi-harmless activities. Eventually I would find an outlet through art, the staff support, outings and counseling.
In 1993 I had very little family that I could depend on and eventually I felt as though GA was my home. I felt safe and secure.
At some point I lived in the Lakeview home. Sandy and her husband were our 'house parents".
We went to Florida on vacation and words fail to explain how much that trip had ment to me. Now that I have a family of my own I realize how much effort they put into that trip. I am truely greatful for everything Lakeview offered me.
For the first time in my life I was able to focus on my education, goals and I was able to better myself in general.
Today I realize how much GA had to offer, that I really needed to be placed there and I am glad to have lived there.
I think all the staff members need to be told that they ARE making a difference EVERYDAY to many children.
It has been 15 years, I remeber my favorite staff members names , I have photo's of the group hub dinners, I remeber choosing my christmas gifts from the big book, I remeber walks to the pond and signing out for a day pass. I remeber Falconer riding stables, some urban legend about the front hall picture ( from the 1800's ) and JJ Jammer games! I remeber the formal dinners once a year and formal dance in the gym.
I have a million memories from GA it seems. I am sure I will keep them forever."
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From Charles J., a former resident of the GA Home...
"I spent almost 4 years in GA home. I entered GA at thirteen, I believe. I can't thank the GA home enough for what it did for me as a kid mentally, physically, and financially. My conditions at home were not very good.
I don't know the present day set up at GA, but back when I first entered GA, I was in unit 1, an all boys unit. There was also a unit 2 which was also all boys, unit 3 was all girls, and finally unit 4, an all boys and girls unit -- the unit everybody was striving to make it to.
I spent around eight months in unit 1, then was transfered over to unit 4 for about four months. I remember taking a public bus to Lincoln Junior High School for the start of my 8th grade year. I finished out my 7th grade year at the on-site campus school right across from unit 1. My favorite teacher was a women by the name of Cheryl. I can't for the life of me remember her last name. Some of the staff at that time were Lilly, Steve Trask, Tony, Joe Lynch, John and the woman in charge of the staff, Debbie Ognibene, really nice lady. I remember Joe use to take a handful of us kids to watch football games he would play in, Steve Trask would always be telling Vietnam war stories to us, Lilly would always be taking somebody clothes shopping, and everybody wanted Tony to come out to the basketball court to play ball. The staff was nice, but if you messed up in school or were fighting with peers, you just might end up sitting at the table or going to bed early. Also I remember going to Skateland on Tuesdays and JCC to swim on Thursdays. I made it through the system in unit 4, and was selected for Harding Avenue Group Home, where I spent the next three years. The Group Home parents were an older couple by the name of Mr and Mrs Wilson. I looked to them as my parents. I loved them very much. Mr. Wilson has since passed on. I lost contact with Mrs. Wilson over the years. When the Wilson's needed a break from the group home, the relief parents were the Quakers. They were also very nice. I met a lot of new friends in the Jamestown Community. At times I think about the friends I made back then.
Where some kids were trying to get out of the GA home, I was the opposite. I wanted nothing more then to stay in. It was home at that time. After my tenth grade school year at Jamestown High was done, I was a month away from turning seventeen years old. At that point of my life I felt I was ready to go back home and start again with family and friends. I got out of Group Home and went back to Niagara Falls, NY, and finished my last two years of High School. I went into the Marine CORP from 1992-1996. I worked as a boiler operator for eight years. Now Im working at an insulation plant for the last year and a half. I find myself reminiscent about the GA days with guys at work. To me, those were the fun days. I think a lot about the staff and what they're doing in their everyday lives. I miss all at GA. I believe those four years were crucial as far as myself being a productive citizen in society today. I'm 34 years old, I have two kids, a girlfriend by the name of Jennifer, who has a teenage son. She is a nurse, and has the privilege of hearing all my GA stories (she doesn't mind them). Thank you very much GA. I would love to join the alumni program and take a tour of the facilty. Also I would not mind at all to put a photo of myself with my story on the Wall of Fame. Sometime this summer would be great to come for a tour. I will keep in contact."
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From Latrecia B., a former resident of the GA Home...
"Hello my name is Latrecia and I was a resident at GA from 1988- 1990. I came because I was skipping school and not listening to my mother. And ended up in GA which was an experince that I will never forget. I learned so many things but first and formost how to develop a good relationship with my mother and peers also which was one of my goals learning to get along with others. I also learned how to Ski, play volley ball and other sports. Because my mother worked alot and I was the youngest of three, I was often left alone with nothing but time on my hands after school because I did not have chores. So that left time for negative things that I've done. When I was at the Home I always had someone to talk to, cry to, and no one would ever judge me for how I feel. These are things I lacked at home. That's why I'll never forget GA. It changed my life in a great way. Thank you."
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From David T. a previous resident of the GA Home…
"I lived at GACH from 1954 until 1963.
Today I live in the Denver Colorado area and enjoy life in the outdoors. We have a house in Northglenn, a ski-in ski-out condo in Breckenridge and a cabin on 10 acres in Fairplay. I have reached a level of contentment that, I believe, would have been unattainable had it not been for the efforts of the people at GACH who were there when we needed them most. Who provided an environment rich in challenge and diversity.
I was back in 2005 to visit and was privileged to a tour of the present facility. You come a long ways in the intervening years GACH. I was impressed by what I saw and can only hope that the efforts you all put out continue. I’ll try to find ways to support those things I think worthwhile in the future. "
Regards,
David T
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From Cliff…
"I was a resident of the "old" GACH from Sept 1964-June 1966,
my Junior and Senior years at Jamestown HS.............
We were in the original building at 705 Flaconer St (sic)....the site is
now occupied by another building.............I have photos of the
demolition in 1968 or thereabouts.......Where your present building
sits I believe that is where the old barn was....
after HS I was in the Air Force for
4 yrs, worked for the government for awhile, managed rock bands locally
for 6 years, moved to Los Angeles for 4 yrs or so, came back to Ohio
and opened a travel agency for 12 years, then sold it and am now
doing corporate travel and enjoying life with my partner of 25 yrs......... I was just back in Jamestown a yr and half ago and drove out to GA....
Didn't stop in though...........keep in touch.............
Congrats on 120 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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"GA was the best thing that ever happened to my family. The staff was fantastic to work with - they were wonderful!"
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When my daughter was at GA, there was always staff there to help her when she was upset, angry, or just needed someone to talk to. They've been very supportive of my daughter and me."
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