Youth Before and After Stories

Jason

Raised by a bipolar schizophrenic father, and a mother overwhelmed with the resulting stress, Jason struggled with his own deep depression. He attempted suicide five times—once by pills, once by hanging, and three by cutting. Then he discovered TreeHouse.

Since I’ve been at TreeHouse, I have learned to stand up to my dad. I’ve learned that his behavior isn’t my fault. TreeHouse is a place where you can be you. I have discovered the desire to help others. I can help teens who have problems like mine, especially those who felt worthless and just need someone to lean on. TreeHouse is a loving community that supports me through the bad and congratulates me with the good.

Nicole

When Nicole was seven her brother started to sexually molest her. That lasted until she was 11. At TreeHouse, Nicole received the support she needed to make sense of her life amid the brokenness around her. While on a mission trip, she realized that the molestation had affected all of her relationships, which led her to become promiscuous and abuse drugs. After this trip, she forgave her brother and made great strides in her faith.

At TreeHouse I have a mentor who is there for me and cares about me even when I don’t care for myself. I started to feel like I was wanted and loved by others for once in my life. I finally realized what it meant to be loved without strings, and to know I am loveable, capable, and worthwhile. I know I’m not alone anymore.

Latrell

As a victim of school bullies, Latrell had a hard time in school and felt like everyone was out to get him. He became angry, violent, filled with self-hate and anti-social behavior.

I tried to carve out a place for myself by stealing and making other students feel as bad as I did. But that soon proved impossible because no one hated himself as much as I did. I just wanted to disappear. If it wasn’t for TreeHouse, I honestly think my anger and hatred would’ve consumed me and I could have even lashed out in a way like the kids did at Columbine High School. TreeHouse is a beacon of hope in a dark world. As long as TreeHouse exists, hope will never die. That’s why I ask you to consider giving money to create new TreeHouses so we can keep the hope growing.

Maria

With parents that were drug dealers and drug users, Maria’s young life was not only chaotic and unstable, but personally frightening. Police raided her home with guns drawn pointed at her head. Her mom abandoned the family. Feeling alone, she fell deeper into smoking, drinking, and using drugs. Then one day a TreeHouse van drove up and a friend got out and invited her to join them.

Because of TreeHouse I have a future. When I was struggling in my pain, God heard my cries and used TreeHouse to rescue me from this messed up life.