Written in 2003 by Brianne, a former foster care child
The year of 1995 seems so long ago, but in reality 1995 was only eight years ago. Eight years ago is when I traded my old life for a new life. In the story that follows you will be able to read about a young girl who was saved by Five Acres.
At the age of fifteen all everyone saw Brianne as was a troubled teen. She felt like no one understood her, and this was normal because all teens are misunderstood, RIGHT? Brianne felt angry because of her life situation. Brianne had come to the age where she actually understood her life, or at least she thought she did. She had no parents that she could call her own; Brianne lived with her aunt most of her life. Brianne began to feel very depressed about the way her life had turned out. Brianne blamed her mom for what she felt inside. From having all of this anger, Brianne had turned sour and cold. She showed no respect to her aunt, an aunt that had raised her most of her life.
As time passed on, it only became harder and harder for Brianne and her aunt to get along. Brianne was so angry inside; she did not want to live with her aunt any longer. One day a guy named Robert Allen and a woman named Pamela Lawson came out to see Brianne. Once they arrived at Brianne's house, Brianne was a mess. She was angry and full of hurtful feelings. Going into foster care was something that was very scary for her. She was afraid and felt alone. Robert Allen and Pamela Lawson were shocked to see such an angry teenager. Pamela asked to speak with Brianne alone. Brianne was full of tears and didn't want to talk. Pamela, knowing it was more hurt than anger that Brianne was showing, asked Brianne what type of things did she like to do. Pamela knowing how to work with troubled teens knew how to lighten the mood.
A week passed by and Brianne moved to Altadena to start her new life. Even though Brianne seemed to be a problem teenager, Pamela and Five Acres took a chance on her. Although she was depressed and angry, Pamela and Five Acres worked with her. Five Acres helped nurture Brianne back to life. They offered so many different ways to help all of the teens, by counseling once a week, having teen meetings, and just letting the foster children know that it was not always a bad thing to be in foster care. Things only got better for Brianne. Brianne had the opportunity to be a part of Five Acres. She had the great opportunity to work with Cara Stearns-Entz, Patty Old, Barbara Alexander, Robert Allen, and a lot of other great people. Because of these great opportunities, she took the right path instead of the wrong path. Brianne felt like a family living with the Lawsons. The Lawsons showed her love and affection, which was something she was missing. Five Acres introduced Brianne to many different types of programs to better her life. Brianne graduated from high school and went on to Pasadena City College to become a teacher. In April of 2002, Brianne took the CBEST test to get her credentials, and within two years will have her Bachelors Degree to teach in her own classroom. Brianne is in the independent living program that Five Acres offers. Five Acres has helped Brianne a great deal.
The short story that was just told was a brief story on how my life has changed. Five Acres helped me start to accomplish all of my hopes and dreams and become the woman I am today. Brianne is forever grateful. Brianne is looking forward to teaching a classroom full of little children, who are full of life. Five Acres is the hope that all children, teenagers, and foster parents need to keep faith in while taking this long hard journey together.
|
