The following
letter was sent to the Program Manager of the KidsPeace FCCP
offices in Florida.
To
Whom it May Concern:
About 18 months ago, I
needed help for my three children. We were going through so many changes in our
family. We were dealing with the issues of a divorce, new relationships, new
stepfamily, new baby, moving to a new home and undesirable input from others
...
I had visited with a
private counselor, but she did not accept our insurance. She was kind enough to
look into possible avenues for us and referred me to
KidsPeace. I had seen the sign for KidsPeace on the window of her building, but
I was not familiar with the organization. I really needed help. I called KidsPeace. From our first conversation, I felt comfortable with the counselor. She was
a wonderful listener. She asked lots of questions, was not judgmental and, most
of all, it was obvious that she was the advocate of each child who was her
client. She was interested in the well-being of the child, the confidence,
security in and of self, the free thinking and the ability of that child to
accept, communicate about, embrace, and participate in, his or her life,
whatever that might look like to that individual child.
Some of the issues we
identified in our planning meetings were anger, confidence and sibling
"rivalry." We, with the children's input, established goals for the
three-month periods. I feel that our counselor helped the children to address the
issues that pertained to each of them. I have especially seen my daughter,
Linda*, 11 years old, apply the tools that she learned in counseling sessions .
Linda has actually come to me when I am having a problem and offered her
opinion, which is full of ideas and skills that have come from her counseling
with KidsPeace! I have seen her take a situation that is difficult for her and go
from anger and being "out of control" to being positive, clear about
her feelings, identifying pro's and con's, in control of her feelings and ready to
meet the situation head-on. It is amazing to watch. She has gained tools that
will serve her throughout her life. We have a very open household now, full of
open communication and encouragement, and she is flourishing; I most definitely
attribute much of her growth and success to her experience with her KidsPeae counselor.
Not
only was our counselor highly effective in her sessions with the children, she made
herself available to me whenever I needed to talk with her. I called her
many times to update her on the kids' situations, but, very often, I was vexed
with a problem and needed advice. I called and she listened and advised,
always with a sincere concern for James*, Joseph* and Linda. This was very
helpful, especially in regard to James. I was going through a difficult time
when James did not want to come to my home and spend time with me. I
struggled for weeks and months over it and finally took her advice ... We
had a session in which I sat with James and the counselor and told him that I loved
him, and, because I loved him, I would let him do what he wanted to do. He
smiled at me and said, "Gracias." It was a wonderful moment.
Our relationship has improved, and continues to improve, since that day.
One by one, each of my
children expressed that he or she was ready to finish counseling. So, we did
close them out, each at the appropriate time. KidsPeace staff were wonderful to all of us
from our first encounter to the last session. We left the door open for any of
the children to return if the need arises.
I
have obviously been very happy and satisfied with KidsPeace and with our counselor individually. Thank you for providing such a valuable service.
Sincerely,
L.R.*
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.