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Joe came to Bonnie Brae at age 14. He had been
in a State psychiatric hospital for children after
trying to burn himself. He was born to a 13 year-old
mother. She had little help in raising Joe and was
eventually overcome with her own problems. During Joe's
childhood, his mother was hospitalized many times.
Joe also had a little sister. Eventually, Joe and his
sister were placed in foster care, where his sister was
abused by their foster father. After that, Joe and his
sister were placed in separate foster homes. Obsessed
with trying to care for his mother and his sister, Joe
began acting out against his foster parents and running
away from foster homes. Finally, Joe became so
despondent that he began to run in front of cars, hoping
to be killed or sent to a hospital where he might get
care.
By the time Joe was sent to Bonnie Brae, he had been
living on the streets and was arrested for abusing
drugs. At first, Joe also ran away from Bonnie Brae. He
cursed at teachers and, in moments of desperation would
try to jump from the roofs at Bonnie Brae.
But the staff at Bonnie Brae knew that Joe was very
bright. Even though Spanish was his first language, Joe
had an excellent command of English. Not only was he
well spoken, but what he said was often full of insight
and wisdom. At Bonnie Brae, he read a great deal. He
learned to fish in the pond and to relate to others. And
he learned computers.
When he left Bonnie Brae, Joe said, "My mother was
not very good at mothering." However, since Bonnie Brae
provided him with a healthy and restorative family
environment, appropriate psychiatric and psychological
services, and academic and vocational education, Joe
left Bonnie Brae with a high school diploma. With the
help of a scholarship, Joe attended computer school and
went to work for a major corporation. Eventually, he
also married.
Joe credits Bonnie Brae for giving him back his life.
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