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These days, when the going gets tough at Caravan House,
staff members are likely to wink at one another and
say, "Remember Samantha!"
When Samantha* arrived at Caravan House in late fall,
she displayed what's known in professional jargon as
oppositional defiant behavior. She yelled, swore, ran
away, vandalized, and lied to everyone, including and
especially authority figures. It was this intolerable
behavior that eventually led to her being removed from
the foster family where she lived and sent to Caravan
House.
After an initial period that was challenging to say
the least, counselors put together a plan to help Samantha
make some changes in her life. She received a psychiatric
evaluation, was put on appropriate medication, and given
frequent reminders of residents' rules and responsibilities.
As time passed, Samantha gradually became less hostile
and erratic, devised a plan to atone for the damages
caused by her vandalism, and became the kind of student
teachers enjoy having in class. Impressed, Samantha's
foster family asked if she could return to them. Samantha
was thrilled, but though Caravan House staff wished
her well, they wondered if her departure might not be
premature.
Several months later, Samantha called, "It didn't
work out with my foster family and I'm wondering if
I can come back. Caravan House is where I want to be.
I need the structure it provides me." After a few
phone calls and a meeting with Samantha's support team,
she was “home.”
Only a short time has elapsed since Samantha's return.
Already she is a shining example of the positive changes
that can occur in a young woman's life, given the right
guidance and opportunities. She now encourages other
residents to follow in her footsteps and is preparing
to graduate from Caravan House when the time is right.
For now, everyone who knows her admires her many successes.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality
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