Matteo's story 

Matteo’s mental health struggles and addictions were destroying his family. His younger brother was terrified of him, and his relationship with his mother had disintegrated until no trust or affection remained between them.

 

His out-of-control behavior included emotional outbursts, bullying, and fighting, which led to stealing, skipping school, and more drug abuse. He and his family were in a frightening cycle with no end in sight. His mother didn’t know if the drugs were causing the behaviors, or if he was using drugs to self-medicate his internal pain. What she did know was that something had to change drastically, or the family would not survive. 

 

With the help of a social worker, 16-year-old Matteo was placed in one of Elk Hill’s therapeutic group homes. He arrived angry, ready to test everyone and everything that he encountered. Deep down, he feared the tiny thread that still anchored him to his family might break forever.

 

“As soon as he arrived on campus, I knew he’d be challenging us,” his Elk Hill case manager says. “He had a lot of stuff to work through before things were going to get better.”

 

For every child who lives in one of our five therapeutic group homes, we develop a plan to meet their specific needs. Matteo’s included psychoeducation groups, one-on-one therapy, substance abuse counseling, and lots of support to manage his emotional outbursts.  

 

Slowly, these interventions began to have an effect. “I saw that things were different here — a good different,” Matteo says. “It’s not like a facility where you are locked away or forced to be taught things. Here, you are given examples, and you take those examples and run with it, and become who you want to be.” 

 

Because of his hard work, Matteo was able to earn weekend passes to spend time with his family. With additional family counseling, rebuilding trust, and practicing new skills, we are hopeful that this family will be whole again soon.