Our Latest Success Stories:

Jackson’s Story:

Dear Helping Hand Home Family,

This past November I left at Helping Hand Home a piece of my heart…my son, Jackson. The situation had become unmanageable at home and our entire family was suffering. As I drove home without my precious son, I was overwhelmed with feelings of despair and failure. I did the only thing I knew to do, I prayed. I knew God could work miracles. He had worked one in my life before when He gave me my beautiful boys and our family was in need of another miracle.
I was not disappointed. Over the past six months, with your love, compassion, knowledge, determination and perseverance Jackson has changed. Jackson changed from a child who seemed lost and unsure of his place to a more comfortable and confident member of our family. You have equipped not only my son, but our entire family with the tools necessary to succeed.
As we go forward, we will hold close to our heart Helping Hand Home and all the wonderful people who helped make our miracle possible.

Thank you,

Jackson's Mom

MKB’s Story:
For the last couple of years, I have had an amazing journey with my little buddy, MKB, for whom I’ve been a buddy to since October of 2008. It all culminated when she was driven away to her new home to be with her sister.  As I stood in that parking lot, fighting the tears (even though they were joyous ones), I realized in the greatest sense what an amazing place Helping Hand Home is and what a privilege we each have to be a part of the healing process for these children.
My little buddy arrived at HHH in June almost two years ago. From day one of her arrival, she had the entire campus adoring her. Yet, she displayed primal behavior at times - acting out, head banging, trust and fear issues, and foul language.  Four months after her arrival, I was introduced to her as her buddy. She immediately took my hand and we began one of the sweetest friendships in my life.
As I stood in the parking lot that day, I was shoulder-to-shoulder with some real heroes.  MKB’s therapist was there who worked with her and her demons since day one.  Numerous people from the Direct Care Staff cheered and waved goodbye. The cook brought out her favorite fried catfish as a little snack for the road.  Others from the Administrative Staff, who have also been a part of MKB’s family, came to hug and give best wishes. Teachers from the charter school, who have provided a patient and loving environment for her to learn, had a hard time letting her go. MKB’s nighttime reader gave her words of encouragement. Helping Hand Home Society members stopped by to hug and say goodbye. It was quite a send-off party!
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting MKB and her sister in their new home.  I saw a joy and confidence in my little buddy that I had not seen before.  While the girls proudly gave me tours of each of their rooms, showed me their bikes, and introduced me to their two dogs, my husband had a good heart-to-heart talk with the new parents.  They told him that MKB seemed to have much better coping skills than her sister, and in general were having more problems with the sister who had never had any kind of treatment plan like HHH provides.  The girls were going to be fine, but MKB was further along than her sister because of her stay at HHH.
I know that HHH’s mission is to restore these children to a healthy, family setting.  I know that HHH is an institution and not a permanent home for them.  However, I now realize that the Helping Hand Home “family” gives most of these precious angels their first semblance of a healthy, family setting.  The heroes at HHH, who are in the trenches every day with these kids, give them a great chance for life outside our gates.  Not all of our kids will be success stories.  Yet, when one climbs into a truck with all her belongings at age seven, leaving the place where she found trust and safety, waves a big happy smile and says, “I love you”, we know then that the work we do is meaningful and worth doing every day.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your part in the HHH family.  
Sincerely,
Kathy Petet
Helping Hand Home Society Member   

Lisa’s Story:
Yesterday, I noticed one of the Home’s therapists had several Post-It notes on his shirt – they had phrases written on them such as: “I ruined my family”, “I miss my mother”, “Who is taking care of my sister?” I asked the therapist why the notes were stuck to his shirt. He told me one of the little girls, “Lisa”, age 7, was having a very tough morning. When he talked to Lisa, he learned she was worried about her family, afraid her friends didn’t like her and many other things. He made an agreement with Lisa that they would write down all her worries and he would carry them around for her the rest of the day. He told Lisa her job for the day was to leave her worries with him so she could go have fun and just be a kid. As I looked out the window, I saw Lisa on the playground with the other children running, playing and laughing.